KESTRELS SURVIVE AND ADVANCE IN THE NATIONAL CUP AFTER NAIL BITER IN PLYMOUTH
Kestrels pushed to the very end by Division Two Plymouth Raiders in 77-76 National Cup win on the road. Andre Arissol and Stelios Christofi carried over their fine form from the Saturday to the Marjon Sport Centre in Plymouth on Sunday, scoring 23 and 10 points respectively.
Plymouth were ready for the challenge that the Kestrels brought to their home court, and that was showing as they went toe-to-toe with the offensive threat that the visitors posed in the opening minutes.
Arissol laced an early triple to set the tone and continue his efficient start to the season from the field, giving the Kestrels a 5-3 lead.
Back and forth would be an understatement for the opening quarter of action, the Kestrels relied upon the scoring of Arissol, Christofi and Louis Weaver, so much so that the home side were up 24-21 after the first ten minutes of action.
Matthew Daines added his name to the scoresheet just before the end of the first but entered the floor to start the second quarter with intent, following up Weaver’s three with one of his own.
The first Kestrels’ lead in five minutes, fresh faces on the floor and looked to push the Kestrels into a firm lead… but Plymouth had other ideas.
Every Arissol three had an answer, Thomas Elliott-Smith being the main threat to the Kestrels’ defence to end the quarter, firing the Raiders into another lead to end the half.
Out of the half and the Kestrels had found their rhythm with key bench points to trigger an 11-3 run out of the changing rooms, the score at 50-44.
The lead wasn’t a certainty by any stretch, but the outside scoring held strong to maintain the lead going into the final quarter.
Plymouth simply turned on a switch once the fourth quarter began, with the Kestrels ruing missed shots, Plymouth had the lead back in their hands with four minutes left to play at 68-67.
The final two minutes were riddled with bitty possessions and players at the free throw line but had ultimately given the Kestrels a three-point differential.
Wayne Kitenge sent to the line with just seconds to play… the Kestrels with a 75-73 lead so meant Plymouth had to score twice to even have a chance of the win.
Never in doubt. Kitenge makes both. 77-73.
Raiders’ Ryan Peard hits the bottom of the net with a late three, but it didn’t matter, the Kestrels win and move on to the next round of the National Cup.
Top Performers:
Andre Arissol – 23 points (3 threes)
Stelios Christofi – 10 points
Louis Weaver – 10 points
The Men’s side play host next on the 31st of October to Barking Abbey at 6pm, the perfect way to spend your Halloween evening. Tickets are available here - Senior Men vs. Barking Abbey - NBL Division 1 Men | Solent Kestrels
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