Basketball: Troon Tornadoes go close to beating St Mirren

Dec 2 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes senior men came within a whisker of causing an upset in their Scottish Cup quarter final against St Mirren.

The Buddies went into the game as joint national league leaders after their win against Edinburgh Kings and with Tornadoes losing to a weakened Glasgow University in their last league game, Saints were expected to cruise it.

St Mirren’s height had caused problems for Tornadoes in the past and at the start their centres dominated. However, the quickness and athleticism of Ifadade Thomas proved more than a match as he scored nine of Tornadoes’ 19 first quarter total as they trailed 21-19.

In the second quarter, Tornadoes held Saints to 13 points but could not take advantage, This poor shooting form continued in the second half but pressure defense led to lay-ups. By the end of the third quarter, they trailed 59-49.

In the last quarter, Saints stretched the lead to 14 points and it seemed as if they would run all over the visitors. Although still shooting badly from the perimeter, Tornadoes didn’t fold and again with excellent full court pressure they got back into the game.

With four minutes left, there were only three points between the teams and, after another steal from Chris Bombani, Tornadoes had possession.

A basket could have seen St Mirren fold but Bombani slipped and Saints took possession. Bombani made a big three point shot but, with time winding down, he had to foul to stop the clock and try to get the ball. St Mirren made their last seven shots from the free throw line to win 80-73.

Tornadoes played a lot better than in the previous game and know that if they find their outside shooting form they could have been the team to advance.

Tornadoes host Glasgow Rocks at the Citadel on Friday and should have Andy Pearson and Alexi Zhyzhyn back.

Team: Chris Bombani, Malcolm Morrison, Ally Hornell, Ifadade Thomas (17 pts), Euan Campbell, Johnny Pettit (12), Michael Lynn, Fraser Smith, Graham Hunter.

Juniors and Cadets go to Arbroath on Saturday to play Tayside Musketeers.