Basketball: Play-off hopes recede for Tigers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The play-off quarter-finals are slipping away from Thames Valley Tigers, after their 86-83 defeat at Butlins Worthing Bears on Saturday night left both clubs joint 10th in the Budweiser League and 10 points behind eighth- placed Newcastle Eagles.
Neither Tigers nor the Bears have ever failed to qualify for the play- offs but Thames Valley, who scraped through in eighth place last season, needed victory at Worthing to close on the top eight.
Worthing had lost their previous two encounters with Tigers this season but hit the first 11 points on Saturday as American James Hamilton began amassing his game-high total of 35 points.
Tigers, former National Cup and League Trophy winners, were just four points down at half-time and tied the scores on 79-79 before Gary Smith hit a three-pointer to open Worthing's match-winning lead.
Hemel and Watford Royals slipped firmly back into their losing ways at home to Derby on Saturday night, where the Storm's fifth win in their last seven games, by 108-88, lifted them to joint fifth in the League. The Royals had lost every game since the start of the season before they beat fellow strugglers Crystal Palace last weekend.
London Towers travel to Moscow today, tantalisingly in touch with Russian club Autodor Saratov but needing to secure their season's best result to overturn a five-point deficit and reach the last 16 of the European Cup.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments