Mixed Fortunes for Edinburgh Uni's Basketball Teams

Yet to find form in the Premier League, EUBC Women’s 1sts enjoyed a comfortable win against one time Scottish rivals Strathclyde University to ensure their place at the BUSA Final 8s tournament. The game finished 99-27 and all eleven players that travelled to Glasgow on Wednesday got themselves on the score sheet. Edinburgh showed quality on all areas of the floor with Hilary Lynd, Alison Mitchell and Agata Daleszynska putting in strong performances in the post and on the boards. On top of this, the team’s fast break offence and the impressive shooting of Sarah O’Brien and Fran Iwanyckyj meant there was no coming back for Strathclyde. Captain Alison Mitchell said she was “thrilled” to be going to the Final 8s in her final year at Edinburgh. Exchange student Neha Bakhai and PhD student Agata Daleszynska are not so lucky and will be completing their time at Edinburgh before the tournament in March. Coach Jim Mitchell praised their efforts in getting the team to the tournament and stressed that, despite the convincing win over Strathclyde; there was plenty of work to be done for the remaining players before the tournament in March.

EUBC Men’s 1sts were less successful being defeated by Northumbria Men’s 1sts 99-52. Northumbria always posed a tougher challenge, however lying only 3 points ahead in the BUCS championship Edinburgh’s Nicolas Gromotka viewed it as a “lucky draw” in the run up. Edinburgh Men’s focus now turns to a key clash against Glasgow in February with the loser almost certain to be relegated. Glasgow have shown promise despite losing all of their fixtures so far, this is reflected in their much better points difference. Edinburgh however, remain in pole position due to their buzzer beating win away at Glasgow in November.