By Dave Ryan

 

Manchester Magic revived their push for the Division One title with a pair of victories over the weekend.

 

Old rivals Reading Rockets were beaten 65-52 at the Amaechi Centre on Saturday night before Jeff Jones' team gained revenge for their National Trophy final defeat with an 86-77 victory at London Mets the following day.

 

Sunday's action in the capital saw Brandon Kimbrough lead all scorers with 27 points as the Magic produced a strong second half performance to move up to third spot in the table.

 

Mets led 23-20 at the first break, but saw that lead trimmed to 39-38 at half-time. However a 28-22 third period saw Magic lead by five at the final break and they closed out the win with a 20-16 fourth quarter.

 

David Watts added 24 for Magic, with Stefan Gill having a quiet night with 13 points. Jeff Danchie led Mets with 20 points, while Dave Ajumobi and Arturo Noha each finished with 16.

 

The previous day had seen a low-scoring contest in Manchester. Rockets captain Ryan Lohfink led the way from the tip being strong on the boards and working tirelessly inside. 

 

Kenny Saunders opened his account with a spin and one hand dunk but the Rockets' early 8-4 lead turned into a six point deficit as Magic finished the first quarter with a 10-0 run.

 

The Rockets fought back to take a single point lead in the second quarter which they held until half-time. Lohfink had ten personal points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals with Saunders having 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals before the half drew to a close. 

 

A pair of Jon May baskets opened the second half as Reading remained in control, and Sayers put them 31-24 ahead after two minutes play.

 

Kimbrough broke the run and the speed and intensity of the game upped as Magic finished with a 12-4 run capped by a Watts basket going into the final quarter 43-38 ahead.

 

Kimbrough opened the final stanza scoring and it took until the 7:16 mark for Sayers to open Rockets' scoring in the quarter.

 

A Kimbrough basket off Gill's assist gave his side a double digit lead going into the final five minutes and the visitors only briefly took the margin below ten as Manchester wrapped up the win from the line.

 

Kimbrough finished with 19 points, six assists and five boards to lead Magic, with Gill adding 16 points and seven boards. Lee Goldsbrough had a 14 point, ten rebound double-double, with Watts just failing to emulate him as he finished a rebound short.

 

Rockets' top scorers were Kenny Saunders with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Ryan Lohfink with 16 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Louis Sayers and Jon May finished on seven points apiece.

 

 

Mar 6 2010	Leicester Warriors	72	v	86	Taunton Tigers	Braunstone Leisure Centre
Mar 6 2010	London Mets	115	v	113	Derby Trailblazers	London Metropolitan University
Mar 6 2010	Sheffield Arrows	78	v	96	Coventry Crusaders	EIS - Sheffield Stats
Mar 6 2010	Leeds Carnegie	91	v	75	Tees Valley Mohawks	Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie University
Mar 6 2010	Manchester Magic	65	v	52	Reading Rockets	Amaechi Basketball Centre Stats
Mar 7 2010	London Mets	77	v	86	Manchester Magic	London Metropolitan University
Mar 7 2010	London Leopards	79	v	83	Bristol Academy Flyers	Barking Abbey