Taunton are now back to being one win ahead of Bristol Flyers II, who with a game in hand, have the advantage over Tigers in head-to-head results. They will need victories in their final two fixtures (both away) and for Bristol to drop one of their final games to have a chance of winning the league.

The match against Southampton started well for Tigers as they used their size advantage to get easy looks around the basket. Chris Alexander scored the first 6 points for Taunton and combined well with Mark Schroeder who added 8 of his own in the quarter.

Eighth place Southampton also started the game confidently with a range of players getting on the scoreboard early. The first quarter ended 21 – 19 in favour of Sharks. In the second, Southampton’s point guard R. Cull made 3 consecutive three-pointers extending their lead to 8 points. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter but Tigers fought hard to reduce the deficit to 4 by the end of the first half.

In the third Taunton enjoyed a run of 6 points unanswered and regained the lead before Sharks fired back with a 5 point run of their own. R. Findlay added 6 of his 19-point total for Southampton whilst Robin Boult put 6 on the board for Taunton with strong moves inside and converted free throws.

Taunton’s 3-point lead was quickly eaten up as Southampton went to the free-throw line early and often in the fourth. Neither team was able to find a rhythm offensively and the lead continued to fluctuate.

Down 5 in the final minutes, Taunton guard Joe Andrews came off the bench to make a three-pointer, followed by a mid-range jump-shot followed by two free-throws as he drove to the basket, regaining the lead for Tigers. They were unable to hold onto it though as Southampton made back-to-back baskets.

With less than a minute remaining and with the score tied at 72 – 72, Southampton moved the ball well, and found an open Cull in the corner who shot and scored another three-pointer under pressure. Down 3, Tigers were able to find Alexander inside who was fouled and made both free throws.

Tigers had one last chance to tie or go ahead but were unable to convert their free throws and Southampton held on for a well-deserved win, 75 – 74. Chris Alexander top-scored for Tigers with 20 and Mark Schroeder finished with 17. R. Cull for Sharks led all scorers with 23 including 4 three-pointers whilst J. Findlay put up a solid 19 points.