Essex Rebels D1 Men Claim First League Win of the Season with Victory Over Hoods
The Essex Rebels men’s team secured their first regular season victory, defeating the Nottingham Hoods 84-67 in front of a supportive home crowd at the Essex Sport Arena. This result marked a strong comeback after their opening defeat to Milton Keynes Breakers.
From the start, the Rebels took control, outscoring the Hoods 21-17 in the first quarter and extending their lead in the second, heading into halftime with a comfortable 47-34 advantage. Nottingham struggled to find their rhythm offensively, with the Rebels’ defense holding them to just 29.7% shooting from the field.
Leading the way for the Rebels was Luke Busumbru, who tallied 16 points, supported by Connor Nelson with 13 points and Emmanuel Kanwei, who added 10 points. This balanced scoring attack, combined with the Rebels’ dominance in the paint, where they outscored Nottingham 52-36, proved crucial.
On the other side, Nottingham Hoods were paced by Greg Skoric with a game-high 18 points, followed by Sam Akano with 14 points. However, despite their efforts, the Hoods struggled to convert, particularly from beyond the arc, shooting just 16.7% from three-point range.
Coach Norfolk commented on Rebel’s securing their first league win of the season:
““The team started well which established the tone for the game. We executed well in the half court and we locked into the scout. It was a great team performance with everyone getting on the scoresheet. The Rebels fans were fantastic and helped us keep our momentum!“
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Luke Busumbru: 16 Points | 7 Rebounds | 6 Assists
- Connor Nelson: 13 Points | 3 Rebounds
- Daniel Thompson-Johnson: 4 Points | 7 Rebounds | 3 Steals | 2 Blocks
The Essex Rebels D1 Men will return to the Essex Sport Arena on 27 October as they take on the Derby Trailblazers at 4pm. Tickets are available here.
#UpTheRebs
Picture Credits: Nick Winter
