1.9.2017: SONY CENTER FURY - GLASGOW UNIVERSITY 83:34
FURY MEN OPEN TITLE DEFENCE WITH 49 PT WIN
SONY CENTRE FURY 83 GLASGOW UNIVERSITY 34
Scottish Senior Men Division 1 Championship
Ross Gibson and Adam Hammerschmidt shared 36 points in the opening game of the season at Fury’s new home – Grangemouth Sports Complex. A 300 plus crowd cheered on the title holders and a 26 -7 opening quarter meant Fury Headcoach John Bunyan could run his 12 players throughout. Austrian Adam Hammerschmidt got the club’s first official basket at their new venue and added a further 7 points for 9 personal in the first stanza. Gibson had 7 in that period with Greg Foussas, Bryan Munnoch and Eddy Leginus all adding to that 26 point tally. The second spell saw Captain Keith Bunyan hit 8 personal with Foussas adding 6 to bring his tally to 10 at the half. Off the bench Connor Martin hit from behind the arc with Lithuanian brothers Kornelius and Zigy Dauksas combining for 11. Former Scotland junior had a solid game adding 4 personal. While the third was tied, Fury ran away with the game with 23-10 and 23-6 scorelines in the third and fourth periods.
While it was clear Glasgow University were not fully prepared and have the potential to still bring in players the win saw the Sony sponsored side play solid basketball at both ends of the floor. The team shot 50% from the field and while their 3pt shooting was only 25% , there is no doubt the new venue, boards and hall will take time to get used to, particularly from downtown with the rings certainly not as friendly as the Mariner.
Fury racked up 12 offensive boards and recorded 16 team assists, with Hammerschmidt and Gibson top scoring on 18 apiece, Lithuanian guard Eddy Leginus notched up 11 with Greek forward Foussas on 10.
Fury Headcoach John Bunyan told Heraldsport “ I am glad we got off to a winning start and in a game that I was able to run al 12 players, who all contributed. I am sure the Glasgow University team will be stronger as the season progresses and we also will be looking to build on a performance that saw key court time to what I consider a very strong bench.
We still have experience in our side with Keith and Greg but generally this is now a very young team with an average age of 21yrs. I liked what our players did off the bench, they played to their strengths, worked hard in defence and most important of all, played for each other. We now face Glasgow Storm, again at home and that will be a tougher test and we will need to work hard to get the win. “