SBC GotW report: Kings 53-71 Blaze

Boroughmuir Blaze extended their winning streak to seven games in the Soho Wealth SBC Men’s Division as they overcame City of Edinburgh Kings 71-53 on Friday night.

Blazer started the game strongly, taking a 7-0 lead in the opening two minutes. A three-pointer from Findlay Wood got the home side up and running but Blaze continued to dominate offensively as they raced ahead to a 13-5 lead.

Five consecutive points from captain Eoghann Dover extended Blaze’s advantage to double digits. Konrad Kantorski (10 points) & captain Ali Mackay (10 points) both added two baskets for hosts but Blaze ended the first with another basket from the game’s top scorer, Sam Scott (19 points). 10-22.

The visitors’ team defence made the difference between the two sides as they allowed Kings – who have averaged 83 points per game this season – to score just three points in the first five minutes of the second quarter. Four points from Zilvinas Valantiejus (10 points) and three-pointers from Scott & Brendan Mullan gave the visitors a 19-point lead.

Kings’ Ryan Armour (14 points) added two quick buckets from outside the arc as the home side tried their best to reduce Blaze’s lead. The latter stages of the second proved to be one of City of Edinburgh’s best spells, recording eleven points in four minutes. A late three-pointer from Dover kept Blaze’s score rising as they entered the half up by 13. 24-37.

Both teams traded baskets early in the third before back-to-back baskets from Blaze restored their previous lead. A 10-0 scoring run gave the hosts hope, reducing Blaze’s lead back to just eight points as Mackay added two quick baskets alongside Matt Wilcox, Armour and Kantorski.

As the third came to a close, Blaze responded through four points from Mateusz Kruczynski (10 points) as they maintained the ten point lead and set up an exciting finish for the supporters in the stands. 39-49.

A five-point streak from the away team put any hope Kings had of a comeback to bed in the opening minutes of the fourth. Scott added another three-pointer whilst Wilcox added two more to his tally for the evening.

In the closing minutes, Kings’ frustrations showed as they landed themselves in foul trouble and conceded five free throws, all of which were converted by Enrique Moreno Caballero. Kings also had the chance to shoot some free throws, through Armour and Kantorski, but they made little difference as Blaze walked away with the win and Edinburgh derby bragging rights. 53-71.