20.9.2013: Stirling Knights - Glasgow Storm 72:76

Having been torched by a very good Boroughmuir blaze side the week before, Knights welcomed Glasgow Storm to The Peak last Friday for their second home game of the season. Storm came into the game having started the season very well under Scotland Coach Iain Maclean with Scotland Guards Kevin Scott and Kyle Haldane in fine form. Knights Coach Pete Duncan, Maclean's assitant in the Scottish National Team, welcomed back key guard duo David Hannah and David Porter who had missed the previous game. 

 

The Knights started well with Scotland big man Matthew Dick dominating in the paint for his opening eight points, former Knight Ross Rankin kept Storm in touch hitting three 3 pointers in the period. In the second quarter, Knights played some of their best basketball of the season so far with new players Gergo Jenei, Jeb Spink and Adam Hammerschmidt starting to find some good rhythm with their team mates. Knights Captain Jack Burgess showed his ability by posting six points and narrowly missing a key 3 pointer which would have put the Knights 13 up, unfortunately for Stirling,  Storm punished this mistake with Kevin Scott connecting on a three pointer at the half time buzzer to claw the Knights lead back to 7. 

 

In the third, the game remained tight with Storm edging the period by one. For Knights inside players Dick and Jenei picked up their fourth fouls which meant they would have to sit on the bench for the next part of the game with Stirling leading by 6 going into the final quarter. 

 

Missing the inside presence, Storm quickly took advantage with Scott and Haldane finding their way too easily into the paint to rack up some big points for the visitors. With the lead changing five times in the final quarter the packed out Peak crowd were on their feet but some key turnovers and missed chances meant Knights found themselves 2 down with 20 seconds left and forced to foul to stop the clock. Storm hit the free throws to eventually win out 76-72.

 

Knights Coach Duncan said "We played better tonight and the young team is staring to gel and get to grips with the Senior League and the system we are trying to play. Matt and Gergo did well for us inside and on the boards with Jack showing his leadership in key spells too. Unfortunately, the Storm guards were just too good and we couldn't find a way to stop them. We will pick ourselves up and look for the win in our next game, away to Troon".