Blackpool Basketball Club dazzled by Magic in final home game

Magic arrived at Blackpool Sixth looking to avenge December’s defeat, while the home side recalled Mark Cowell and James Ormond, with Chris Pangan making possibly his final appearance for the club.

Both sides looked to assert themselves in a physical start and Magic led 7-2 after three minutes.

Blackpool maintained their composure and bounced back with a 17-1 run as Chris Hodkin scored well.

Magic hit back with six points but Hodkin beat the buzzer from just beyond half-court to give Blackpool a 24-14 lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter was low-scoring and Aitor Estrada was the only Blackpool player to score in the first five minutes.

Greg Whittaker and Greg Slater then scored before Chris Pangan nailed a three-pointer, though Magic closed the half with a 5-0 run to cut Blackpool’s lead to 37-33.

Both teams found their rhythm after the break as Magic went ahead for the first time since the opening minutes.

Blackpool answered back with a flurry from Hodkin and Slater but back-to-back three-pointers by Manchester reduced the lead to 60-59 with 10 minutes remaining.

Slater fouled out and was a big loss in the closing quarter, as did Estrada and Whittaker in the closing minutes.

Manchester took the lead with their first shot of the half and stretched their advantage to a comfortable 13-points, which they extended further before the final whistle.

Hodkin was top scorer with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Slater added 12 points and six assists, and Whittaker eight points and seven rebounds.

Blackpool sit just outside the play-off spots in third going into their final division four match away to Sheffield tomorrow.