Rebels’ Comeback Effort Falls Short in Overtime Against Derby
The Essex Rebels faced a tough contest against Derby Trailblazers on Sunday afternoon at the Essex Sport Arena in an exciting NBL Division 1 matchup that went down to the wire, ultimately resulting in a narrow 82-85 overtime defeat for the Rebels.
First Half:
The opening quarter was highly competitive, with both teams exchanging baskets to reach an 18-18 tie. Despite a brief lead early in the second quarter, some missed opportunities allowed Derby to edge ahead 26-22. Back-to-back three-pointers from Conor Nelson and Joe Hart pushed the Rebels back in front, but Derby quickly responded. After a series of lead changes, the Trailblazers held a slim 32-30 advantage at halftime. Joe Hart led the Rebels with 7 points, while Elliot-Sewell paced Derby with 11.
Second Half:
The Rebels struggled to find their rhythm early in the third quarter, remaining scoreless for three minutes until Ben Winter sank a free throw. Despite some timely shots, offensive rebounds continued to haunt the Rebels, allowing Derby to maintain a 5-point cushion. A foul by Kanwei near the end of the quarter sent Walker to the line, ending the third with Derby up 49-43.
In the fourth quarter, the Rebels showed resilience. They chipped away at Derby’s lead, with Nelson and Winter combining to bring the score to 50-48. With just over four minutes remaining, a quick score by Derby forced Coach Norfolk to call a timeout. Although the Rebels’ defence stepped up, Derby’s size and rebounding dominance kept the Rebels at a disadvantage.
A late steal and a fast break by Nelson cut Derby’s lead to six. A clutch three-pointer by Hart made it a 60-63 game, but a tough jumper by Derby’s Simental extended their lead to 65-60. The Rebels’ relentless defence led to a series of fast breaks and baskets, allowing Ben Winter to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Overtime:
The extra period was equally intense. Joe Hart’s quick basket brought the Rebels level at 72 with three minutes remaining, but Derby managed to regain a slim lead. Foul trouble continued to be an issue for the Rebels, with Kanwei, Nelson, and Johnson-Thompson all fouling out. Derby capitalized on these opportunities, ultimately closing out the game with an 85-82 victory.
After the game, Rebels Head Coach Ross Norfolk praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I am very happy we stayed composed to send the game to overtime. We missed a few stops, and if we would have got these stops and punished them offensively, the outcome would have been different. I thought we did a good job attacking the rim but didn’t get many calls. I am happy we kept the score close for the head-to-head.”
Game Statistics:
A significant factor in the game was Derby’s rebounding dominance, as they collected 26 offensive boards. The Rebels also struggled with fouls, sending Derby to the line for 41 free throws, of which they converted 26 (63%). In contrast, the Rebels attempted just 15 free throws, making only 7.
Key Performers Rebels:
- Luke Busumbru: 18 Points | 4 Rebounds | 7 Assists | 2 Steals | 2 Blocks
- Connor Nelson: 13 Points | 4 Rebounds | 6 Assists | 5 Steals |
- Emmanuel Kanwei: 13 Points | 10 Rebounds
Key Performers Derby:
- Elliot-Sewell: 21 points | 18 Rebounds
- May-Thompson: 20 Points | 8 Rebounds
- Dieterich: 19 Points | 5 Rebounds
Up Next:
The Rebels will look to bounce back as they travel to face the City of Birmingham Rockets on Saturday, 2nd November, at 7:30 p.m.
