SCOTS TOP GOLD COAST GROUP
- Updated: April 8, 2018
Scotland captain Kieron Achara insists it is only mission part-accomplished after completing the group stages of the men’s basketball undefeated by beating India 96-81.
Nick Collins scored 16 points as coach Rob Beveridge shared his minutes with the Scots blowing their rivals away with a 29-11 run in the third period.
And they are now set to meet Nigeria on Tuesday for a place in the last four.
“That was our goal when we first came here, to top the group in the first round and win all our games,†Achara said. “To see it through it a great achievement. But we expected this and now our focus has to be the quarter-finals. Winning has to be a habit. But we’re realistic, we have to take it to another level on Tuesday.â€
His Glasgow Rocks team-mate Kofi Josephs hit a game-high 26 points as England also progressed by hammering Cameroon 81-54 with Canada likely awaiting.
“After losing the first game (against Scotland) we were finally able to find our stride,” Josephs said. ‘Both teams had a lot at stake. We had to come out and do our best so it was going to be physical.”
England’s women beat Mozambique 78-51 to keep their hopes of progress alive before they take on the mighty Australia on Monday.
“We’re familiar with Australia,” said Stef Collins. “Some of us have played them before. We’re really looking forward to the challenge. They’re a great side and looking forward to tomorrow’s contest.”
But later, with the women’s team cheering them on from behind the bench, Jamell Anderson and long-time girlfriend Georgia Jones got engaged on the court after the men’s group game – with his team-mates cheering on.
“I only told them just now,” Anderson said. “They initiated the plan really well, so that went perfectly.” An oblivious Jones joined the team, thinking she was in the photo to help the England men celebrate.
“I had absolutely no idea,” she said. “He told me I was just getting a picture taken.” Instead, Anderson got down on one knee, with his teammates in a semicircle behind him, produced a ring and asked her to marry him. She said yes. “It’s been on my mind for a while,” she said. “So now I can just play basketball.”
A tearful Jones was lost for words. “I’m just in shock,” she said. He added: “I’m pretty speechless myself and I knew it was happening.”
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