BBL: Heat win basement battle

Guildford Heat had the best possible start to the new year with a comfortable home victory over Durham Wildcats.

Guildford enjoy easy win against bottom side Durham

BBL Championship
Guildford Heat 99 (31,50,80) (McLemore 30, Ogedengbe 21, Martin 17)
Durham Wildcats 67 (15,38,52) (Galvin 19, Flaherty 12, Bucci 10) Guildford Heat had the best possible start to the new year with a comfortable home victory in their bottom of the table battle with Durham Wildcats. Martelle McLemore was in good scoring form with 30 points and the Heat star was helped by contributions from Tayo Ogedengbe on 21 points and Michael Martin with 17. Heat put together runs of 13-2 and 16-6 to take the first quarter 31-15. Durham closed the gap to 32-22 at the start of the second period as Guildford struggled from the free throw line but the home team still led 50-38 at half time. An 11-5 burst to begin the third quarter opened up a 61-43 advantage for Heat and then a 19-2 tear gave them their biggest lead of the night at 80-47 with 39 seconds to play in the period. Wildcats scored the last four points of the third to trail 80-52 heading into the final stanza and the BBL new boys were never able to significantly reduce the arrears as Heat twice stretched out to equal their 33 point lead high point - 94-61 and 96-63. Guildford coach Creon Raftopoulos said: "I'm really happy to start 2012 with a win. We joked before the game that it was like going back to 2011 with Drew Lasker out injured and when he's fully fit I'm convinced we will climb the table. "Our team defence was the key for us today. Martelle McLemore took the ball to the basket and took good threes. We had a great crowd; we fed off their energy and look forward seeing them again on January 29."