Kirkpatrick and Paxton lead Scotland to double success

Edinburgh UNIVERSITY’S Michael Kirkpatrick and Claire Paxton each bagged 24 points to lead Scotland to a double victory over Northern Ireland on the second day of the British Universities 4 Nations Basketball Championships at the University’s Pleasance Sports Centre.

The men’s 83-73 success guaranteed an exciting title decider against England in the final game of the round-robin today while the women made certain of at least third place by beating Northern Ireland 
70-58 and could even snatch the title if they upset favourites and holders England in the last game of the tournament at 3pm.

The Scots men had to come from 39-45 down at half-time despite five three-pointers, four in the first quarter, by Kirkpatrick. It was the former Edinburgh Kings junior Calum Nicol (Glasgow) who helped spark the comeback and he scored two tip-ins in a row in an inspired six-point spell with Fraser Glass (West) also outstanding.

At the end of the third quarter Scotland led 71-60.

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Nicol finished with 21 points and Glass 16, a tally matched by Al Alilovic (Glasgow).

Seven man England were too strong for Wales winning 
101-47.

As well as Polonia star Paxton, Scotland’s women had four Edinburgh Kool Kats also in the scorers, Shauna O’Connor with 11, Louise Gray eight, Emma Findlay six and Hannah Peacock five.

England struggled to put away Wales 69-53.

Results: Men: Scotland 83, Northern Ireland 73; England 101, Wales 47. Women: England 69, Wales 53; Scotland 70, Northern Ireland 58.