Although Taunton Tigers returned from Oxford Brookes University with another win, it turned out to be one of the most difficult games to date. The team travelled with a depleted squad due to injuries to several players and new signings yet to arrive at the club.
Tigers started the game brightly with young point guard, George Scarborough showing good composure providing the ball to players up the floor to get some quick looks on the break for the Tigers big men.
Unfortunately due to poor ball handling Tigers could not convert their early chances into points and combined with some sloppy defence meant that the lead switched several times between the two teams early on.
With Michael Sebire picking up an injury in the second quarter, the Tigers had to dig deep and pull together to get a win. It was Harry Turner who started the Tigers best run, getting good open looks off the Tigers offence and punishing Oxford with some clinical shooting.
Some tenacious defence from Kevin Anderson and Dan Howe complimented this as the Tigers went into the fourth quarter with an 11 point lead. However, some poor decisions by the Tigers and great finishing from Oxford saw the game tied going into the final few minutes.
With a bizarre and-one play from Kevin Anderson, penetration from Adam Rickwood and defensive intensity from new signing Alex Boden the Tigers were able to increase the lead again in the finals seconds and gain a hard fought win.