Oxford Devils took a major step towards the National League Division 1 play-off final at Wembley Arena on May 5 by beating Cardiff Clippers 64-83 in the first leg at Cardiff.
Devils, playing without power forward Arthur Robinson and centre Tod McNeil, took the first period 24-23 but struggled in the second, a series of turnovers handing the Clippers easy baskets.
Oxford stepped up their defensive pressure in the third period and this, combined with good shooting from Mark Smith and outstanding rebounding by Gerry Armstrong, saw them finish the third quarter nine points up.
With the game finely balanced, the Clippers continued to foul the Devils players and put Oxford on the free throw line 20 times in the fourth period.
The visitors took full advantage, racking up a 19-point lead to take into the second leg this Saturday at Oxford Brookes (7.30).
Leading scorers: Steve Riley 22 pts, OJ Choutka 21, Mark Smith 17.
The other play-off semi-final first-leg tie was a closer encounter, Reading pipping Kingston 66-64.
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