Abdul Mohamed scored 11 fourth-quarter points as Surrey Scorchers edged past Plymouth City Patriots 94-92 in a tightly contested match at Surrey Sports Park.
In a game that was close the entire way, there were fourteen lead changes and the biggest advantage for either team was just seven points. It gives the Scorchers their ninth win of the season as they look to book a spot in the play offs for the first time in six years.
Josh Steel opened the scoring for the hosts, knocking down a corner three. Plymouth hit back however with a 6-0 run to take an early lead. Saiquan Jamison answered with some good work in the paint and a Justin Robinson three saw the Scorchers re-gain the lead mid-way through the quarter.
Things got tough for Plymouth when Mason Faulkner went down injured with 04:46 remaining. He was carried off the court for treatment and did not return to the game. Without him Surrey finished the first with a 10-4 run.
Plymouth responded well to falling behind and rallied to begin the second. Spencer Levi was causing all sorts of problems inside and TJ Atwood kept the scoreboard running as Plymouth pulled themselves back into the game and briefly took the lead.
With Surrey struggling to score, Jamison attacked the basket and converted an and-one opportunity to put the Scorchers back in front.
With Scorchers leading by five they threatened to blow the game open, but a tough bucket from Jacob Wiley kept the Patriots in touch. It was the visitors who finished the quarter strongly, as a Joe Hart three gave them a lead with 34 seconds to go.
From there Andrew Lawrence was fouled while shooting from deep, but he could only convert one of three free throws. With half time approaching Surrey had 6 seconds to advance the ball forward, it found Elliot Bailey who was wide open and he nailed the three-point attempt to give the Scorchers a 46-43 lead at the break.
Both teams traded baskets to begin the third, but as the quarter went on Surrey got themselves into foul trouble. They comitted their fifth team foul with 05:41 remaining, when they held a four-point lead. From there Plymouth had several trips to the line, where they managed to pull themselves level in the game.
In a back-and-forth contest, it developed into a shootout as both teams caught fire from downtown. Four consecutive three-point shots were made as neither team was able to take control. Surrey held a one-point lead as we headed to the fourth.
It was more of the same in the fourth, with the teams continuing to trade blows. Cameron Copeland found his range for the visitors as the game entered the final stages.
Robinson and Mohamed both hit from deep for Surrey, who opened up a five point lead, but the Patriots kept hitting back. This time through Atwood who converted an and-one to make it a two-point game.
As the game entered the final minute, Mohamed hit back-to-back buckets to give the Scorchers their largest lead of the game. Just as the game looked to be settled in the home side's favour, Plymouth responded with four straight points, making it a three-point game with 12.5 seconds remaining.
Surrey would have to shoot free throws to win this one. First up was Quin Cooper, who could only get one of two to go down. Copeland responded by nailing a three, making it a one-point game with just 2.7 seconds on the clock. Robinson was sent to the line, where he made the first and missed the second, but Jamison claimed the rebound as buzzer sounded and the Scorchers held on to win.
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