We now know our finalists! Here’s how the conference finals went down.
EBBL
Mortal Wombats took care of business in impressive fashion with a 111-87 win of Team Nook. England NT duo Gillesipe and Albrighton had monster nights with a combined 50 points and 31 rebounds on 23-38 shooting. Team Nook’s only answer came from their NT star Kanjilal who had 37 points himself, but the Wombats were just too strong all over the court and won in dominating fashion.
Optic Fibres also booked their place in the finals with a 96-75 victory over MexicanTaxiDriver. MVP Bazant again dominated with 38 points including 7 3-pointers. He’s now averaging an impressive 35.5ppg in the playoffs. MTD’s NT star Mackley had 24 points and 7 rebounds but that was no answer to the Fibres star power.
Mortal Wombats will have home court advantage Optic Fibres for the finals, which is a repeat of the season 59 cup final. Wombats have had the better of Optic Fibres in recent seasons, but the Fibres have made a couple of key additions since their last matchup.
Isca Centurions swept Durham Wasp 2-0 to retain their EBBL status after a low scoring 65-49 win. Zubalik had 19 points in the win, and Choudhry once again had a good game off the bench with 15 points. O’Malley was the only player for the Wasps to reach double figures as he scored 27 points. Despite being the only team to beat Mortal Wombats this season, Durham Wasps have been relegated to division II.
Roaring Lions and Los Mikitos will go to a decisive game 3 as Mikitos managed to win game 2 91-87. 3 of the Mikitos starters had double-doubles as they had a balanced team effort in the win. Lions also had a balanced attack with 5 players scoring in double figures, but they came just short. Must win game 3 for both teams.
Division II.1
24 points each from Yargici and Zhibin was enough to outperform 39 points from Lizarzaburu as Detroit Pistons I got 1 step closer to getting out of division II.1 after beating Scunthorpe Devils 104-92.
Reds BC also reached the finals with a 127-115 win over Nobiles Slough. MVP duo Kasiura and Fullerton led the way for Reds with 52 combined points, but Reds also had 5 other players reach double figure points. Matvejevas top scored for Nobiles with 38 points.
In the sole game between Detroit Pistons and Reds BC this season, the Pistons came out 108-96 winners. They’ll be hoping they can take that confidence in to the finals. Reds BC will be looking to their MVPs to lead them to the EBBL.
Division II.2
BC Zalgiris we’re too strong defensively as they held BC Bloosa to only 72 points in a 18point win. Oklu had a game high 23 points, with Popovic shooting 9-10 for 21 points.
In the 3v4 seed matchup, Porzigod beat Bethnal Green Erks 102-76. Porzigod hit 12 3-pointers on 55% shooting in the win compared to only 2 made 3s for the Erks (13% 3FG).
BC Zalgiris will go in the finals as the favourites given their star power and home court advantage. But Porzigod will hope their good recent form can cause an upset.
Division II.3
Camden Kings decided to give their players an early off season, as they sacrificed their unbeaten season and let Galaxy Walkers walkover them with a 101-48 win. Svejstrup was unstoppable with 50 points on 23-29 shooting.
CWA Fury also cruised to the finals with a 101-73 win over MILF Hunters. CWA legend Quigley had a game high 28 points and added 14 rebounds in the win got carried his team back to the finals.
Galaxy Walkers beat CWA Fury earlier in the season, which will give them confidence going in to the finals where CWA have home court advantage. Both teams will give their all to return to the EBBL.