Team Solent Kestrels improved to 3-0 in NBL Division 2 South on Saturday evening as they dispatched Westminster Warriors in London, 103-58. TSK shut down the Warriors in the 2nd quarter before pouring in 54 second half points to take the lop sided victory.
Russ Gariepy had his best shooting game of the season so far as he had 21 points on 7-9 from 3 point land to go along with 9 rebounds, whilst Greg Durand and Matt Hughes had 19 a piece, as 5 Kestrels players reached double figures.
It was the Londoners who started the better of the sides as they raced out to a 7-12 lead after some direct line drives resulted in paint scores for them. Kestrels would then find themselves down 11-20 with a little over 2 minutes remaining in the quarter, as they struggled early to find their flow. A 10-2 scoring run to close the period however meant the visitors would only trail by 1 after the first, 21-22.
A back and forth opening couple of minutes in the second quarter saw Kestrels edge in front at 27-26 through Isa Brandon. TSK then held the Warriors scoreless for over 4 minutes and pushed the gap to 14 points in there interim, 40-26 timeout Westminster. The home side briefly responded out of the timeout but Greg Durand and Andre Arissol ensured the Kestrels lead would grow before the half as he was fouled on the buzzer, putting his side ahead 48-29 at the half.
Kestrels pushed the arrears into the 20’s to start the second half however were unable to string a run together to put Westminster completely out of sight. That changed though as Kestrels went on 15-4 scoring run to close out the third period, effectively ending this game as a contest, with Russ Gariepy heating up from distance. 72-41 with ten minutes remaining.
Dan Fawell-Molloy scored 7 straight to open the 4th quarter and continue to balloon the Kestrels lead. Durand got back to back scores also as he pushed the advantage out to 40 plus, before Gariepy went back to back from beyond the arc as TSK put on an offensive clinic. Kestrels would eventually take a 103-58 victory.
Kestrels now turn attentions to the National Cup as they make the trip to the South West on Sunday (1pm) to take on Plymouth Marjons Patriots in the 3rd round.
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