The University of Gloucestershire men’s basketball team lost 63-62 in overtime last night to the Worcester Cyclones in the GBBA’s local league.
The Raiders had a chance to win the game with the final possession of the game, but a missed three left the team heartbroken and extends their losing streak to three.
Jay Simms-Lymn and Benedict Moons led the way in points for the Raiders with 20 and 17 points respectively, but it wasn’t enough to push the home team over the line.
The Raiders had possibly the strongest start to the season for them, as they shot out to a 20-3 lead but after some substitutions due to foul trouble, the Cyclones were able to bring the game back and soon found themselves within single-digits after a 17-7 run.
In the second half, Simms-Lymn’s controlled pace on the offence helped hold the lead, but the Cyclones were able to close the gap after some confident three-point shooting.
With five seconds left in the game, the Raiders had a chance to win in regular time but a wayward pass meant the chance was missed and overtime was needed.
The Cyclones then edged out to the lead, however, did leave a final opportunity to win, but a missed three-point attempt from Olly Lomax meant that the away team claimed the three points.
After the game, University of Gloucestershire head coach Jimmy Bower praised the work of the Worcester Cyclones but also explained the growth he has seen from the Raiders, he said: “First and foremost, they’re very strong in this league and are consistently competitive in the top half of the league so the fact that we competed is a great sign for us.
“The fact that we are disappointed with the result is a great sign because it shows that we are competing at a level that is way above what we have been.”
The Raiders are now looking to end their BUCS campaign on a positive note when they play Swansea University next Wednesday.
