Myerscough battles Newcastle in EABL action Wednesday

Newcastle

PRESTON – Myerscough has been a machine throughout the opening two games of the EABL as the focus shifts to Newcastle on Wednesday.

Sco (2-0) ran rampant outscoring James Watt and SGS College by a 44-13 first-quarter margin en route to wins in which the team has amassed 46 assists on 81 made field goals and converted 54 percent of shots in the process.

The defence has also played a key role in Myerscough’s ability to pull away by forcing opponents into 53 miscues, leading to 56 points off turnovers. Four players, meanwhile, have contributed four steals whilst the team has made a total of 29 in two games.

“We just want to see progress and improvement, but that doesn’t really come from the result. It comes from how we play within the game and how efficient we are,” said Myerscough head coach Neal Hopkins. “It’s important to see the transfer from practice and that’s what we use as a measuring stick.”

A majority of that offensive, and defensive, production has come from the bench, with Sanmi Fajana the lone mainstay in the starting line-up through two games averaging double figures scoring at 17.5 points to go with 6.5 rebounds.

Lewis McGlasson ranks second on Myerscough, adding 14.5 points and he’s started hot hitting 7-of-9 attempts from 3-point range. Forward Jamie Gray is chipping in 13.5 points on a team-best 73.3 percent shooting and 6.5 boards.

Myerscough’s bench has accounted for 45 percent of the total offence, including 48 points in a 97-52 win over James Watt. Two players have scored in double figures off the bench in each of the first two games.

“These guys are really keen to impress in this league,” said Hopkins. “It’s a great opportunity for them and we’ve been afforded the chance to give our bench extended minutes and we’re relying on them — they know the expectation of playing for our programme.”

Newcastle (1-2) has dropped consecutive games, including a 61-point blowout at Charnwood. The Eagles have been paced by guard Theo Riley, who has two 20-point games, and Jeremy Lievin. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 16 points.

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