Centre Leigh Greenan sustains ankle injury in second quarter

The University of East London men’s 1st basketball team scored triple digits for the second time this season in a 104-37 romp over the University of Bath men’s 1st.

UEL started the game slowly and Bath scored the opening basket after recovering the opening tip from UEL big man Leigh Greenan.

The visitors went on to take a 5-2 lead over East London but in the second minute, UEL recovered to tie the game at seven, and then completely took over the match.

During the next 10 minutes of play, UEL outscored Bath 32-0 to give themselves a commanding 39-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Captain Dougie Bennett led UEL’s offensive charge, while the East London defence limited Bath’s shots, and blocked several attempts.

Bath finally ended the scoring drought but the hosts continued to play strongly and did not slow down until midway through the second quarter.

In the fourth minute of the quarter, with UEL ahead 43-12, Greenan went down with an ankle injury and left the game.

UEL were able to continue on even without Greenan, however, and a few minutes after his departure Matic Zupanc hit a three-pointer for UEL’s 50th point, giving them a 34-point lead.

Bennett and Will Ashby started UEL off strongly in the third quarter and in the sixth minute, Bennett excited the crowd by making a slick pass to Trent Reeves while falling over and Reeves finished the layup to put the score at 70-21.

Bath scored two points a few minutes later, after going four and a half minute without a basket.

A few minutes into the fourth quarter, Lukas Winegarner made a strong steal and sprinted down the court to score.

30 seconds later, Ashby made a spectacular behind-the-back pass to Winegarner, who scored to roars from the crowd and give UEL a 90-27 lead at that point.

With a little over four minutes left in the game, Zupanc hit a free throw to score UEL’s 100th point at 100-35.

East London used some of their bench players in the last few minute, and ended the game with a 104-37 win.

Head coach Jonatham Campbell was happy with the win but did take issue with some aspects of his team’s game.

“Not bad, when you look at the score,” he said.

“I just said to the guys, you can only play what’s put in front of you.

“I think [Bath] were a decent team, but I think we’re just more talented than them, and it showed through. It was a good win.

“But we do need to stop trying to steal the ball so much, and fouling everybody every five seconds.”

The sour note of the game was the injury to Greenan, but team captain Bennett hoped it was just a sprain.

“It’s never nice to see a teammate go down and I hope he’s all right,” said the basketball skipper.

“I hope it’s just a sprain and he’s back to normal next week. I’m wishing the best and we’ll see what happens.”

UEL will play University College London next Wednesday. East London defeated UCL 104-50 at SportsDock earlier this season.