The Bankstown Bruins suffered their third consecutive loss after Sutherland Sharks defeated the Bruins 97-90 at Bankstown Basketball Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Bruins began the game winning the jump ball by Alexander Higgins -Titsha, but moments later, the Bruins committed a turnover. The first quarter brought end-to-end free-flowing basketball with Bruin Elijah Kamu slotting the first shot with a two-point layup.
Both teams were clumsy with their skills, turning the ball over on multiple occasions. Lucas Walker sank a two-point shot to give the Sharks points on the scoreboard. Jason Cadee showcased his brilliance, slotting a three-point shot. The Sharks applied strong pressure, challenging the Bruins’ defence once again.
However, minutes later, Jason Cadee injured himself halfway through the first quarter, with a suspected hamstring injury, taking no further part in the match, causing silence throughout the stadium. It is unclear how long Cadee will be sidelined for.
The Sharks opened the scoring in the second quarter with Harrison Raynor shooting a two-point driving layup, but the second half brought a tight tussle, forcing both teams to fumble and lose control over the ball. The Sharks kept applying good defensive pressure. Towards the end of the second half, Bruin Deonte Williams helped his side claw back, shooting multiple free throw shots into the hoop.
The third quarter saw a turnover from Bruin Tederick Wolfe, but Sharks player Bailey Macarthur missed on the other end. Adrian Cabrera sunk a two-point reverse layup shot off the back of Bruin Anthony Mundine, turning the ball over. Both teams missed easy opportunities to score on both ends, but pressure and a lack of discipline cost them.
The last quarter saw high intensity from both teams, with Bruin Tederick Wolfe shooting a two-point layup. Cabrera helped his side extend their lead by shooting free throw shots given from a lack of discipline from the Bruins.
The turnovers continued throughout the last term with the Bruins, missing chances to score and tighten the Sharks’ lead. At the end, the Sharks’ pressure both defensively and offensively was too strong for the Bruins to overcome.
Now the Bruins travel to the nation’s capital to face the Canberra Gunners at Southern Cross Basketball Stadium on May 16 in a must-win game for the Bruins if they want to finish strong later in the season and play finals.
