Unfortunately BJ Anthony’s season with the Adelaide 36ers has come to an abrupt end. The Tall Black’s power forward was enjoying an outstanding game against former club the Sky City Breakers before he fell innocuously in mid court, suffering a ruptured Achilles. Anthony had contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds before having to be assisted from the court midway through the final period. To make matters worse for Anthony the 36ers suffered an 84-71 home loss.
Also in the Australian National Basketball League Townsville Crocodiles suffered a home loss as well, defeated 79-75 by second in the table Cairns Taipans. Leon Henry provided plenty of energy off the bench for the Crocs claiming 3 steals to add to 6 points and 2 rebounds.
The Crocodiles are 4 wins shy of Melbourne who currently hold the fourth play off place, Adelaide only one win better off.
Isaac Fotu came off the bench for La Bruixa d’Or Manresa who were overpowered 16-6 in the final quarter eventually losing 73-57 in a low scoring affair with CAI Zaragoza in the Spanish League. Fotu recorded 7 points, 2 rebounds and an assist as Manresa remain in 16th place in Liga Endesa with a 4-11 record.
Steven Adams went scoreless for the first time this season in his 34th appearance for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Adams had just a solitary shot but did snare 5 rebounds as the Thunder outlasted the Washington Wizards 109-102 in the NBA.
It was a mixed bag for the Kiwis in the Australian Womens National Basketball League. The Townsville Fire is on a hot winning streak, the West Coast Waves struggling to swim out of a losing spell.
Micaela Cocks was her usual influential self for the Fire scoring 15 points including 3 from 4 three-point attempts. Jillian Harmon along with Cocks provide a very effective one-two off the bench for the Fire. Harmon provided 8pts/2rebs/2assists as the Fire extended their winning sequence to 6 games as they head the League.
Cocks heads the WNBL 3-P% shooting ranks having connected with 20/29 at 69% for the season.
Unfortunately for the Waves and their head coach Kennedy Kereama the Perth based club is travelling in the opposite direction. With away losses to Adelaide and Canberra over the weekend the Waves have now lost seven consecutive games. After a very promising start to the season they have a 4-10 record just one win ahead of the last placed Adelaide Lightning.
In France Erin Rooney had a poor shooting night. She was unable to make a basket from six attempts but her club Arras was still good enough to beat Nantes Reze 60-56. Arras trailed 44-39 entering the final quarter but powered past the visitors to win their fourth consecutive game.
Rooney did secure 6 rebounds and dish 3 assists as Arras moved up the ladder one place to fourth with a 10-3 record.
LACEY LOWDOWN 