Portsmouth Force travelled to face Plymouth Patriots, determined to defend and extend their unbeaten league record. Force’s dominance under the baskets defined the first half, as they capitalized on strong rebounding to convert missed Patriot shots into second-chance points. Both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter, but Force managed to edge ahead, finishing the quarter with a narrow 20-19 lead.

The second quarter started much like the first, with both teams battling back and forth. However, Force found a purple patch from beyond the arc, sinking a series of three-pointers while maintaining a lockdown defence that held the Patriots to just 8 points in the quarter. This dominant stretch allowed Force to take a commanding 48-27 lead into halftime.

In the second half, a rejuvenated Patriots side emerged. Although Force initially extended its lead early in the third quarter, the home team began mounting a comeback. With the crowd growing louder and more supportive, the Patriots chipped away at the deficit, reducing Force’s lead and losing the quarter by only five points.

This newfound energy and confidence carried over into the fourth quarter. With each successful Patriot shot and missed Force opportunity, the home team's and their fans' belief in a comeback grew stronger. The pressure reached its peak in the final seconds when the Patriots cut Force’s lead to just three points with five seconds remaining.

A quick foul by the Patriots gave Force sideline possession deep in their backcourt. Recognizing the situation, Coach Rowlands and Coach Fatomide cleverly used a timeout to advance the ball into the offensive half of the court. Patriots responded with two quick fouls, trying to stop the clock, but their final attempt to regain possession resulted in an unsportsmanlike foul on Oleh Drahanchuk. Drahanchuk calmly sank both free throws, sealing the victory for Force with a 5-point margin.

Portsmouth Force now has an impressive 9-0 record and is looking forward to hosting Bracknell Cobras at the Ravelin Centre this Saturday.

Don’t miss the action—tickets for the next home game are available now! Secure yours today and watch Force aim to stretch their unbeaten streak to 10-0.

Report written by Andy Rowlands.

Photo - Ryan Lee