Rebels take down Loughborough

In a high-stakes clash on Saturday, Essex showed why they are serious contenders for the title with an emphatic 84-66 win over Loughborough. The Rebels put on a display of strength in depth, with a balanced scoring effort that left the Riders struggling to keep pace.

Leading the charge for Essex was Luke Busumbru, the former Solent standout, who put up an impressive 18 points. Busumbru was a force to be reckoned with, flirting with a triple-double as he tallied eight rebounds and eight assists. His leadership on the court set the tone for Essex’s dominant performance.

Joining Busumbru in the double-digit scoring column were four other Rebels, showcasing the team’s multifaceted attack. Kyron Martin made his mark with 15 points, including a solid 3-for-5 performance from beyond the arc. The balanced scoring kept Loughborough’s defence guessing, unable to contain Essex’s varied offensive threats.

Despite a competitive start that saw both teams deadlocked at 52-52 midway through the third quarter, Essex took control with a commanding 22-8 run in the final period. This surge proved to be the decisive blow for the Riders, who struggled to regain momentum.

Loughborough had their standout performers as well, with Elijah Bailey leading the charge with an impressive 23 points. Victor Ndoukou added 15 points of his own, but their efforts were not enough to stave off Essex’s relentless attack. Justin Hedley came tantalizingly close to a triple-double with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, highlighting his versatility on the court.

With this crucial victory, Essex has pulled even with Derby for the top spot in the standings. However, the Trailblazers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, giving them the edge should the two teams finish the season neck-and-neck as they are now.