PRESTON, Lancs. — Lancashire hosts Essex on Sunday knowing a win over the Leopards will secure National League 1 safety. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Myerscough College with the game broadcast on the team’s Facebook page. Alternatively, LiveStats will be available.
The Spinners (7-21), who enter Sunday with three games remaining, are 6-17 in league play and currently lead the Leopards (5-19) by a game in the standings. Both missed chances to take a step closer to safety as Lancashire lost to Solent and Essex fell in double overtime at London.
Lancashire is averaging 75.9 points per game on 40 percent shooting in league play, but is connecting on just 31.8 percent of shots from 3-point land. The Spinners are allowing the opposition to score 84,4 points per game, but have limited teams just under 80 points in two of their last four games.
Mark Rangeley paces four Spinners in double figures scoring at 17.2 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting. Rangeley is second on the team in rebounding with 5.2 per game. Jack Hudson is contributing 14.7 points on 39.9 percent shooting from the field and ranks first on the team in assists (5.1) and steals (2.0).
Connor Murtagh made his first start since Dec. 18 in the loss to Solent on Saturday. Murtagh’s 12.7 points per game ranks third on the Spinners whilst he is second in steals with 1.3 per game. David Ulph had another efficient performance against the Kestrels scoring 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Ulph is averaging 11.4 points on 52.9 percent shooting and he leads the team with 9.8 rebounds per game, including 2.9 offensive boards.
The Leopards (8-21) heads north on a 12-game losing streak, which includes four defeats of five points or less. Essex is scoring 73 points per game whilst allowing 79.1 points per game in league play.
Led by 14.9 points per game from A.J. Roberts, who has played in all but two league games this season, Essex has just two players in double figures. Mike Martin has averaged 19.2 points in 12 games.
Saturday is just the fourth-ever meeting between the two teams with Essex holding a 1-2 series record. If the Spinners win, they would’ve split the season series in consecutive seasons.
Lancashire looks to avenge a heart-breaking defeat at Essex on Dec. 18 in which the Leopards won on a buzzer-beater by Tosin Oyelese. Hudson carried the Spinners with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Lancashire let slip a 15-point lead, as they shot 39 percent after halftime whilst Roberts contributed a triple double (24 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds) for the Leopards.
The Spinners — like last season — can win the home leg after losing at Braunstone Leisure Centre. Steven Gayle scored 23 points in an 87-77 win at Castle Leisure Centre.
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