Canterbury Men get historic win on Argentina Soil
Canterbury men’s team had its first win in at the Patagonia Cup Tournament in Argentina against the unbeaten host El Nacional.
Canterbury jumped out to an early lead on the back of some clinical fastbreaks and punishing three pointers after great ball movement. Marty Davison lead the way with some darting plays while Joel Stratford contued his good form. The previously unbeaten El Nacional team was shell shocked and called upon its older players to address the situation but Canterbury continued to control the first half with Lionel Hopgood scoring in the interior to lead 43- 31.
The El Nacional players were finding it difficult to score early in the third but then began to capitalise on Canterbury mistake and convert enough fastbreaks to slowly claw back into the game. With the inside temperature at around 40 degrees the floor and ball became slippery and several plays were missed as a result of the humidity. El Nacional began to score in the post and repeatedly went to big man Nicolas Quiranga who utilized a variety of spin moves and reverse layup to good rewards. The 3rd Quarter ended with Canterbury up 63 - 57.
El Nacional managed to get within 3 points mid way through the fourth and finally tied up the game with just under one minute to play. The HSOB rugby team drowned out the local fans with chants of "C A N T E R B U R Y" ( Can o Bree) and renditions of the Exponents songs which helped to carry the Canterbury players on to a historic victory. Joel Stratford hit the go ahead three from the corner and when classy El Nacional guard Juan Pablo Morán (22), missed both free throws the game was won. Marty Davison was the stand out player with 18pts and an incredible 14 rebounds and but others chimed in with their share.
Photos of the days' games can be found by clicking here.
Scorers were:
Canterbury 79 Marty Davison (18), Joel Stratford (15), Rusty Thomson (12), Lionel Hopgood (11), Nick Erwood (7), Sam Crozier (5) y Brent Fisher (5), Kieran Ball (4)
El Nacional 76 Juan Pablo Morán (22), Nicolás Quiroga (15). Emiliano Iraola (11), Fernando Larrañaga (9), Francisco Hoffmann (8), Facundo Sevillano (5), Pomar Garbarino (2),
Quarters: 14-27, 31-43 57-63, 76-79
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