BUCS 2019-20 – Dragons Week 14 Results

This BUCS Cup Week was a massive opportunity for the University of Westminster to reach the BUCS South-Eastern Conference Cup Final in Surrey Sports Park, Guildford for the first time in programme history!

Match Preview

You would believe Westminster 1st are feeling confident after coming off a hard-fought victory against Kings College 1st to seal the BUCS 2B championship the week before. The Cup run for the Dragons includes defeating tough Division 3 leaders Greenwich 1st, competitive league rivals Essex 2nd & LSBU 1st and UEL 4th in the first round.

Kent 1st has had a promising BUCS campaign, vast improvements from last year. Aside from competing well in the Men’s Kent Local League, Kent 1st have had a strong BUCS run (7-2), currently falling 2nd to Greenwich 1st in the league table. They upset division higher Kings College 1st in the quarter-finals 72-55 to gain a spot in the final four with the University of Westminster.

Match Report

Kent 1st brought confidence to the Harrow gym, with a full roster of 12 and strong team energy in warm-ups. The team mixed of talent from home-grown academies to experienced European players.

Westminster 1st exploded in the first minute of the game, shooting 4-4 from 3PT-FG (Afrasyb Khalil 3 3PT-FG and Mylo Mitchell 1 3PT-FG), storming to a 12-2 start forcing Kent to call a time out with 8:58 remaining in the 1st quarter.

The timeout settled Kent, who started to find a rhythm when play resumed, yet Westminster would command a 37-19 lead going into the 2nd quarter.

It was a stalemate between both teams in the second quarter (20-20), with the Dragons going into half-time with an 18 point lead 57-39. Westminster shot an impressive 7-17 from 3PT FG (41%) and shared the ball exceptionally well (team assists of 20 in total).

It was another proud moment for Westminster this season. Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster Peter Bonfield arrived at Harrow Sports Hall to support the Dragons in the second half.

Westminster didn’t disappoint the VC and home crowd, dominating the 3rd quarter through full-court pressure and transition baskets, winning the quarter 34-17.

Westminster 1st would control the fourth quarter, and win the game 113-73 advancing to the BUCS Cup Final for the first time in history! This is also the only sports club ever from Westminster to make it to the BUCS finals day! Another milestone set by the Dragons this season.

Guard Afrasyab Khalil scored a remarkable BUCS high 52 points with 8 assists. American Guard Mylo Mitchell achieved another exciting double-double this season, with 28 points and 10 assists. Rookies Orestas Vasiliauskas (7 points, 8 assists, 6 steals) and Louis Roberts ( 10 points and 9 rebounds) continues to perform in their roles for the team.

Westminster will now feature in the BUCS South-Eastern Conference Cup Finals Day! This is a full-day event scheduled in Surrey Sports Park on Wednesday 11th March 2020 @ Surrey Sports Park, Guilford. The tip of the basketball game is to be confirmed, Westminster 1st face-off with St Mary’s University 1st who defeated Varsity rivals the University of West London to get to the finals.

More information about the BUCS Cup Final event: https://www.bucs.org.uk/events-page/bucs-conference-finals-south-eastern.html

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