Undefeated Plymouth Marjons visited the Dome this weekend with Tigers looking to hand their Southwest rivals their first loss of the season.
With some added motivation, Tigers came out and played a tremendous quarter of basketball. The team's ‘no-paint’ defence confounded Marjons favoured 5-out, penetrate and kick offence. At the other end of the floor the team hit form outside and bashed it inside for a 21 – 8 lead after the first period.
As with the week before, however, the U18s defensive effort slipped in the second quarter and Plymouth was now finding ways to the basket all the while hitting from the perimeter as well. The visitors out-played and outscored Tigers and pulled within five points, 39 – 34, at the half.
The teams traded baskets to begin the third period before first-year forward Harry Turner began to light-up the scoreboard. A constant threat from the perimeter, Turner scored 11, including three makes beyond the arc, of his game leading 26 points in the third, which saw the U18s stretch their lead to 10.
Schroeder and Chris Bryant worked well inside to lead a Tigers 8 – 2 run to begin the fourth. The team defence also was reborn and a low scoring last period saw the final read 76 – 59 in the hosts favour.
Next up the U18s will travel to Dorset on Saturday before hosting the Bristol Academy Flyers in the second round of the Sureshot National Cup.