WILDCATS SURVIVE AT BIRMINGHAM

On Saturday Durham overcame a sluggish first half performance to win at Birmingham University, and then learned that two of their rivals for a top-four slot, Mansfield and Westminster, had both lost.

Birmingham University        (17, 34, 48) 60
Durham Wildcats                   (17, 29, 63) 75
Durham Wildcats eventually came through a testing encounter against a much improved University of Birmingham, but had to recover from a lacklustre first half performance.
An even opening saw the teams locked together on 17 points apiece at the first break, but, with Uche Umekwe causing problems under the basket for Durham, the hosts moved into a 28-20 lead midway through the second period.
While the Wildcats were struggling to find any rhythm, it was Birmingham who were moving the ball well, defending resolutely, and who appeared hungrier for the ball, and it was they who led by five at the half.
Whatever was said in the locker room it certainly paid dividends, as it was a very different Wildcats’ team who took the court for the third period, and an early 0-11 run, with five points from Scott Morton and a “3” apiece from Paul and Mark Elderkin put the visitors ahead 36-40.
Birmingham stayed in contention, with Umekwe and Dave Salisbury showing well, but Morton in particular was in sparkling form for Durham, and a 15 point run by the visitors took them out to 43-59, and they closed the quarter leading by 15.
The advantage peaked at 21, as Wildcats held their hosts to just two points in the first five minutes of the opening stanza, and at 50-71 they were able to ease up for a comfortable 15 point victory.
Wildcats: Scott Morton 32; Paul Elderkin 15; Mark Elderkin 15; Anthony Trigg 7; Steve Jones 6; Michael Davies; Notis Chalkidis; Tolis Apostolidis; Rafa Vilar-Franca.
Birmingham: Uche Umekwe 21; Jake Barr 14; Andy Blakeway 10; Dave Salisbury 6; Ryan Beeley 5; Lawrie Hall 4; Nick Kitchen; Xabier Marshall-Baquedano [dnp]; Will Barker [dnp]; Richard Budzynski [dnp]; Sam Brace [dnp].