Ahead of their showcase NBL Division One clash against Milton Keynes Breakers, this coming weekend at the Motorpoint Arena, Vladan Dragosavac’s Nottingham Hoods ended a three-match losing streak with an enjoyable, comfortable, 93-81 success at home to mid-table Bristol Hurricanes.

For the Hoods, it was only their fifth win of a tiring, injury-hampered season, one which sees them languishing at the wrong end of the division with half a dozen matches to play; against the Hurricanes however, it all seemingly kicked into gear on-court.

Prio to the match, Dragosavac said of the game, and what’s been going at the Hoods: “It is a really exciting time and now we’re near the end of the season, March is really busy for us.

“Preparing for Bristol, we’re playing a good team, a really good team, and they’ve a couple of internationals….

“They’ve guys I enjoy seeing still in basketball; we’re preparing very well for the game and I’m excited about the opportunity to have a home game.

“This season is tough for us as we’ve had a lot of injuries, but have a good group of people who work together and try to cover each other, so, Saturday, I believe, will show us in full capacity and we’ll be ready for the game.”

And ready they were, winning three out of the four quarters played (narrowly edged by three in the second quarter) as the Hoods brushed aside the Hurricanes to pick up a rare victory.

In leading 41-33 at the interval, the home side continued their upwards tempo in the second half to add another fifty-plus points with the Hurricanes trying to keep pace thanks to the 27-points from the games top-scorer, power forward Daniel Edozie.

A strong performance from the Hoods however saw Jun Murdock lead the way with on-court stats of 24-points, two rebounds, and nine assists; he was backed up by both Elliot Bailey and Landon Taliferra reaching double figures also, with 18 and 17 respectively.

Although the Hoods are second bottom in the NBL One, the win moved them level with third bottom Bradford Dragons, and just the two points off fourth bottom Newcastle Knights, who they visit next (Saturday 8 March).

The day after the visit to Tyneside, the Hoods will be at the Motorpoint Arena, as part of the Super League Basketball Cup finals day – starting with the Women’s Cup final between Oakland Wolves and B. Braun Sheffield Hatters (12:20), and the Men’s Cup final of B. Braun Sheffield Sharks face Surrey 89ers (15:30), it could well be a huge day for Sheffield.

As for the Hoods, they close the day’s action with the visit of the MK Breakers, looking to avenge the recent defeat in that three-game losing streak (18:15) – tickets for the big day at the Motorpoint are available HERE

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @hoodsbasketball an important win for Nottingham v Bristol.