The Jets suffered a narrow defeat against second place Southampton Solent in a frustrating game in the Southern Premier League. It’s the second game in a row where the Jets have lost by just 5 points.
It was a hard fought game from the Jets, who did well to keep Solent within touching distance for the majority of the match. It could have been a different story if not for an unlucky first quarter where nothing seemed to find the basket as well as a flurry of three-pointers from Solent’s number 8 in the second quarter.
Today’s match was disappointing,” said Jets captain Alex Dehaan. “We really should’ve come away with a win today. But, we’re growing. As the season goes on we’re growing as a team and looking forward. I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.
The result leaves the Jets third in the table with six points, while Solent move level on points with top of the league University of East London.
FULL REPORT
1st Quarter
Despite some early pressure from the Jets, Solent surged into an early lead. The ball was just not finding the basket for the home team despite a number of good plays from Daniel Edozie and Chris Taylor, whereas their opponents were being clinical at the other end of the court.
Trailing 5-12 halfway through the quarter, the Jets brought on number 8, Stephen Foard who made a quick impact, sinking a nice three-pointer and sparking some life into the UWE offense.
Solent became increasingly deadly on the counter-attack but the Jets remained within touching distance and narrowed the margin to just three points, with the score 16-19 at the end of the quarter.
2nd Quarter
The second started well for the Jets who charged out the blocks with a nice two-pointer from Nestor Saa.
However a trio of big three-pointers in quick succession from Solent’s number 8 saw them pull away again, despite Saa grabbing another well worked two-pointer.
The Jets improved in the second half of the quarter after a strongly worded timeout from coach Guy Coles. Scores from Taylor, Saa, Edozie and Fasianos, as well as another nice three from Stephen Foard, saw the Jets reel Solent back in, with the quarter ending 35-40.
3rd Quarter
The Jets were again quick off the mark in the third. An early two points from captain Alex Dehaan, followed by a big three-pointer from Jordan Daniels, saw the scores tied at 40 a piece.
The home side then took a narrow lead, with Taylor in good form at the freethrow line as well as a score from Fasianos. However, the great form at the start of the quarter slowly unravelled as Solent powered into the lead again.
Despite a nice three-pointer from Taylor, Solent were too lethal on the attack and the quarter finished with the score 55-65.
4th Quarter
Despite some good play and some pinpoint shooting from Daniels at the freethrow line, UWE struggled to close the gap in the fourth quarter. Although much more clinical, the Jets defence couldn’t stop Solent getting more points on the board.
The Jets upped their game towards the end of the quarter, with a couple of two-pointers and Foard sinking two freethrows.
In the end, despite some periods of great play and a huge team effort from UWE, Solent’s clinical shooting and an incredible display from their number 8 meant the hill was just too steep to climb for the Jets, with the score 75-80 at the final buzzer.