Scotland make it a clean sweep of Group B in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as they defeat India 96-81.

Having already taken down England and Cameroon, Scotland came into their final group stage game against India already qualified for the next round. However, this did not stop them from taking down the side in a game that saw every member of the team take the floor.

Scotland were slow to get out of the gate, allowing India to go on 6-0 run to start the game. Jonny Bunyan would end the scoring drought as he converted a three-pointer and another jumper, allowing him to put the first 5 points on the board for Scotland.

Off the back of 7 made three’s in the first by Jonny Bunyan, Fraser Malcolm and Sean Nealon-Lino, Scotland were able to get themselves back into the game and take the lead as India’s lackadaisical defense allowed them a number of easy looks from outside. By the end of the quarter Scotland led India 33-26.

As Beveridge gave a rest to his starters, India started to cut away at the lead, playing better on the defensive end and converting two shots inside to narrow the score to 37-33.

However, Ali Fraser and Mike Vigour checked into the game and made an immediate impact on both ends, tightening down the paint and knocking down shots in the lane to stretch out Scotland’s lead once again. Even with the presence of the 7’2 Satnam Bhamara, Ali fraser went to work in the paint in the second scoring 8 points and allowing Scotland to stretch out to a 49-41 lead by the end of the half.

Beveridge subbed his starters back in for the beginning of the second half and their presence was felt, with Kieron Achara scoring on the post move inside and then converting on a three-pointer, followed by Gareth Murray making a three of his own to put Scotland up 57-41.

Ali Fraser took an elbow to the face from Bhamara early in the second half causing him to have the leave the game to get some treatment. However, this didn’t have too much of an  impact on Scotland as India defensive struggles continued into the second half, allowing Scotland to build a 20-point lead at 65-45. Scotland kept India to just 16% from the field allowing them to take a 78-52 lead heading into the final period.

In the final quarter, Beveridge put more of his subs in to finish the game. Nick Collins, who finished as the games top scorer with 16 points, continued to add to his scoring tally as Bantu Burroughs found him on the cut to the basket.

As India began to narrow the gap in the fourth this caused coach beverideg to call an early timeout to change up the way the team was playing. More of Scotland’s players continued to get in on the action as the game came to a close despite India showing little sign of letting up, with their top scorer with 26 points, Amjyot Gill playing almost the entire game.

As the game’s final buzzer sounded Scotland took the 96-81 win, making it 3/3 in the group stages at Gold Coast

The Team Scotland men will now travel to Cairns to play a qualifying final on Tuesday.

Keep sending in your words of encouragement to the team as they keep up the hopes of bringing a medal home to Scotland!