15.9.2017: Sony Center Fury - Dunfermline Reign 84:75
FURY BRING DOWN THE REIGN TO STAY TOP !
SONY CENTRE FURY 84 Dunfermline Reign Basketball Club 75
Scottish Senior Men’s Basketball Championship Div 1
Scottish Champions Fury were given their toughest game of the season last night, but once again produced a decisive, characteristic 3rd period where the 27-15 scoreline took them 12 clear going into the final stanza. Lithuanian Eddie Leginas doing the damage with 4 threes in that spell.
Fury and Reign had traded baskets early on with the Fife side edging the opening period 23-20. The second saw Fury take control and go on a big run to go 10 clear with captain Keith Bunyan hitting two 3’s, Leginas with 7 personal and Austrian Adam Hammerschmidt and Lithuanian Kornelius Dauksas come off the bench with 6.
The final period saw Fury stretch their lead to 17 with just over 2 minutes to go, but some complacent play, calls that sent Reign to the line meant Fury had to play to the final whistle. Eddie Leginas finished Fury’s top scorer on 22 points and highlighted what a key player he could be in the Men’s Scotland team. Adam Hammerschmidt after a poor first half ended up with 16 with the hard working Greg Foussas on 14 and Kornelius Dauksas doing it all with 12 points, 7 boards and two spectacular blocks. Fury have still not found their 3pt touch in their new venue but it has not stopped them putting them up, going only 9 from 36 (25%) from behind the arc. But from the charity stripe, while Reign and some of their fans did not take kindly to Fury’s drumming crowd, clearly affecting their 10 from 20 from the line, Fury shot an excellent 13 from 15.
Fury Headcoach John Bunyan commented to Heraldsport –
“ Opening up 3-0 is all we could ask for. We are still adjusting to a new venue after 25 seasons in another, so that takes time. Special mention must go to two people – Helen Thomson from Thomson Therapy who performed one of her ‘miracles’ when she gave our Greg Foussas the power to walk again. Greg was not playing due to a back issue picked up on Thursday but after treatment with Helen on game day, he was as good as ever! MacKenzie Gray our young drummer and floor guy, as usual did a great job bringing out the best in our amazing crowd. As for the game we had to work hard throughout and I am pleased with a team that can get 25 off the bench from Connor Martin, Keith and Kornelius – that’s team spirit and teamwork and we now look forward to a fun game against the pro Rocks on Sunday (well not really fun! )