A ten minute period in the middle of the second half cost the Kent Crusaders the home game against Tees Valley Mohawks. The Mohawks ran off 30 unanswered points in a 10 minute stretch that saw the Crusaders unable to score a single point.

“Again we fell to a run we failed to stop. For three straight games we have allowed our opponents to put up big runs at some point, and in all three games it has cost us the game. Right now we’re not facing adversity very well. After a good first half where team play prevailed, we tried to stop the run by being individual heroes. When faced with adversity we need come together”, said Crusaders head coach Mads Olesen about the game.

The first half of the game was very even, as the lead changed seven times. Both teams played good defence, as Crusaders were able to stop the Tees Valley from getting open shots, while the Mohawks on the other hand were able to force several turnovers and run them in for easy baskets. At the half the visitors were up by six, 41-35.

The third quarter looked to be more of the same, as the teams exchanged baskets for the first seven minutes. At the score 55-50 to the visitors, however, the chain seemed to fall off for the Crusaders, and Tees Valley decided the game with their 30 unanswered points. The final score was 94-60 Mohawks.

While coach Olesen wasn’t pleased with the result, he did see some rays of light in a game that looked pretty bleak: “When we play together we look pretty tough on both ends, and I have to be happy about that. Also I thought Rob Dagger played an excellent game in his first start for the club. He got a chance to play extended minutes, and he really took the chance. He’s a young player, who has worked extremely hard, and he’s now starting to see the returns of the hard work, and we figure to rely on him more as he continues to expand on his talent”.

The game also saw the debut of Adam Brown, a young player from the Canterbury High School basketball academy. “Adam played the last three minutes of the game, and showed some toughness and willingness to work hard. He’ll do well in the future”, said coach Olesen on Brown.

The Crusaders now stand bottom of National League Division 2 with no wins in two games.