Thunder suffer a second narrow loss

After going down 79-77 at Plymouth Raiders the previous weekend, Thunder, who again had just seven players, lost 79-76 at Guildford Heat.

Thunder still had assistant coach Alan Sweetman-Hicks in charge of the team, although they expect to make an announcement today (Thursday) in regards to their coach for the season.

The American player-coach, who they had appointed, has not overseen either game so far.

Both teams traded baskets in the early going on Saturday, before a 16-4 Thunder run gave them a 21-18 lead heading into the closing stages of the first quarter.

A further 9-1 run took Worthing 32-23 ahead but Guildford hit back across the half-time break with a 20-5 run which gave them a 57-50 lead midway through the third period.

Heat led 63-38 at the end of the third stanza but Thunder took a 72-71 lead in the final quarter thanks to 11 points from Evaldas Zabas in a 14-8 run.

Both teams traded baskets before Thunder’s Mansour Mybe bagged one of two free throws to tie the game at 75-75.

A three-pointer from David Schneider, with 1min 17sec, remaining moved Heat 78-75 ahead and they held on for the victory.

Zabas led all scorers with 27 points, while John Nottley, who had received international clearance and made his Thunder debut, sank 17 points.

Sweetman-Hicks said: “It was the second game in a row we had a chance. We had a shot to win last week and the chance to take the game into over-time this week. But neither fell and that’s the way the cookie crumbles in basketball.

“We should be pleased with where we are with the team we have got but there’s that bit of frustration where you think ‘if only’.

“The guys played great again. They’re really putting in more effort than I can expect of them.

“They’re sticking together but aren’t quite getting over the line.

“We’re cautiously optimistic for the season, though.”

Thunder have captain James Brame back available for their first home game of the season on Sunday (5pm), when they host Guildford Heat in the return match in the BBL Trophy. They are also hopeful that Adam Williams (ankle injury) could make his debut.

Thunder need Plymouth to win at Guildford on Saturday to keep their own qualification hopes alive.