Everton Tigers claimed a vital double set of victories at the weekend to boost their hopes of a top four finish in the BBL Championship.
The impressive Tigers came through a tight game against Worthing Thunder 81-75 at the Greenbank Academy on Friday night before cruising to a comfortable 103-77 win at the home of BBL basement boys London Capitals 24 hours later.
The Tigers started slowly against Worthing and trailed 16-9 at the end of the first quarter. However, they soon found their scoring touch with Andrew Thomson landing five points before Trey Moore scored six in a 9-0 blitz.
The hosts’ led 32-24 after a Moore three-pointer but Sam Cricelli helped Thunder reduce the deficit to 34-32 at the interval.
In the third Thomson sparked a 10-0 surge and after Reggie Bratton scored for Thunder the Tigers followed that with another 10 unanswered, including two triples for James Jones to lead 60-38.
It was 68-46 heading into the final 10 minutes and although Thunder rallied there was no way back.
Tigers skipper Olu Babalola top scored for his side with 18 points, while Moore got 15 and Jones 13. Bratton led all scorers with 26 points.
Saturday night’s triumph in the capital was secured thanks to excellent three-point shooting from the Tigers.
Garbelotto’s men netted 15 out of 34 from beyond the arc with Moore, who claimed 24 points, connecting on four of his eight attempts and Jones on five of his nine.
Everton set the tone with an excellent first quarter as they raced into a 28-15 lead.
By the break it was 49-31 and they remained in total control. At the end of the third quarter the Tigers were 78-51 up and the final quarter was a procession.
Those victories have left the Tigers on track to for a top four finish for the play-offs and provided a perfect morale boost ahead of a bumper set of Easter fixtures, with a trip to second-placed Sheffield Sharks on Good Friday followed by a home clash with leaders Newcastle Eagles on Easter Monday.
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