Back-to-back victories boost Blaze title hopes

After accounting for Tayside Musketeers 89-57 at Broughty Ferry on Saturday they took care of Dunfermline Reign 99-60 at the Crags Sports Centre the following day to move two points clear at the top of the table.

Former joint leaders Glasgow University dropped back to third after being beaten by resurgent Scottish Cup winners St Mirren 91-81 at Renfrew while champions Falkirk Fury kept themselves very much in the play-off chase, if not the title chase as well, with their 79-60 home win over Tayside.

Blaze coach Simon Turner, whose team are now the only one with only two defeats, was naturally delighted with the weekend’s work.

“We played two games of excellent team defence and improving team chemistry,” he said.

“We were without three leading players against Reign but Roie Iluz and under-17 player Isaac Finlayson stepped in very well.”

Blaze scoring was led by Tomas Cicenas with 29, Eoghann Dover 21, Ronan Mullan, 16 and Sam Stott and Lewis Crofts both ten.

Blaze are away to GU on Saturday in what could be a make or break game for the students and another big step for Blaze.

Edinburgh University have not given up the chase for a play-off spot after seeing off a resilient Ayrshire Tornadoes 78-57 at the Pleasance helped by 18 apiece from Ben Warrington and Ron Adrian and 17 from Davy Rowan including three threes.

Tornadoes, who had only five players including the veteran Musselburgh-based guard Donald Sampley, had shocked Glasgow Storm 70-65 the previous night.

Edinburgh University women, who are at home to Sheffield Hallam in the BUCS North Premier Division at the Pleasance tomorrow at the early hour of 1.30pm, are steaming towards their first Scottish League title after beating their closest challengers Glasgow Rocks 84-48 at Cumbernauld.

Blaze women scored a notable win over Polonia Phoenix 58-50 away while Edinburgh Kool Kats notched up a weekend double, a fine 86-66 away win over St Andrews University after a 92-41 romp over struggling St Mirren.