Strong final quarter lifts Thunder off the bottom

A STRONG fourth quarter gave Worthing Thunder Basketball Club victory at home to Bradford Dragons in EBL Division 1 clash on Sunday evening and moved them off the bottom of the table.

The win was Thunder’s first-ever victory over Bradford and came at the fourth time of asking, but only after Thunder fought back from 58-47 down with one stanza to play.

It came after a 106-61 defeat and BBL Trophy quarter-final exit against CHESHIRE Phoenix on Saturday evening.

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Thunder looked to be struggling against a well-organised Dragons side, but they outscored their Yorkshire opponents 28-11 in the final period to seal a vital win. Strong fourth-quarter performances have been the norm in recent games for Thunder coach Daniel Hildreth’s young side and they proved it again in this contest.

Worthing hit six three-pointers in the final 10 minutes and sank 10 overall, with Bud Johnston hitting five, Dominic Baker four and Jack Sunderland one.

Sunderland said: “I just feel, after yesterday, we had to get the win tonight, and although it definitely wasn’t a pretty win, it was still a win either way.

“Getting off the bottom spot was a sure thing to happen, as we are a much better team than that, and I think we’re proving that now. We are competing with and beating teams that are high up in the league.”

Thunder travel to third-placed Leeds Carnegie on Saturday (6pm).