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Interactive News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions England drop crucial points to Latvia
England's senior men missed a golden opportunity to advance their chances of progress to Euro 2001 in Turkey after a 69-74 loss to Latvia at the Coventry Skydome on Wednesday night.
The hosts trailed 37-42 at half-time but rallied to take their only lead of the game thanks to a basket from the excellent Andy Betts. Ahead 46-44, England looked well placed to make a surge but it was their visitors who rallied with 13 unanswered points, a six minute spurt which built an insurmountable lead.
"We played a very good team tonight," admitted England captain Steve Bucknall "We knew we had to contain their three-point shooting but we weren't able to."
The prowess of the Latvians from three-point range proved England's achilles heel as one after another dropped from beyond the arc. Ainars Bagatskis ran up a game-best 33 points, including six treys, as Laszlo Nemeth's men suffered from foul line wastage.
Betts, who was repeatedly double-teamed, was often isolated in offense and his team-high 17 points was achieved with little interior help. Latvia led 11-16 after the first quarter but never pulled decisively clear until after the mid-point interval.
A three pointer from Roger Huggins brought his side back to within five points late in the fourth period but Bagatskis responded in kind.
Tony Dorsey fired in from close range to make it 67-72 in the final minute but there was no escape route for the hosts who must now realistically beat both Croatia away and Hungary at home to qualify while hoping Latvia lose at least one of their last two fixtures.
Huggins and Steve Hansell each finished with 15 points.
The Croats became the first side to qualify for the final after taking a surprisingly tough 74-83 win in Switzerland. Hungary move level on points with England after their 61-81 win over Slovakia.
As it Happened: Running Score
Latvia win 69-74
Dorsey for two, Dorsey steal, Huggins misses three on the buzzer
49.4 to go, Migliniekis makes both free throws
Time out
Fourth foul for Betts, Latvia to the line for two
Migliniekis to the line for two makes both. Dorsey for three
Hansell for two, 1:09 to go. Williams fouls out, Gardiner back in
Foul on Helmanis (4th), Huggins to the line for two, misses both
Bagatkis to the line for two, makes both
Fourth foul for Williams, time out for Lazslo Nemeth. 1:46 to go
Mitgliekis misses long three, rebound Betts. Huggins forTwo
Helmanis blocks Dorsey's shot, Williams misses three
Foul on Helmanis as Huggins take the rebound. Eight points down with 3:30 to go
Foul on Huggins. Williams back in for Gardiner. Sturms to teh line for two, misses both
Huggins with makes a two. Full court pass from Stelmahers, Bagatkis for two
Stelmahers to the line for two, makes both
Tip in by Betts, foul on Hansell (4th)
Foul on Sturms (3rd)
Bagatkis for three, total of five
Huggins replies with a three
Two for Sturms, inside pass by Valeiko
Hansell to the line for two, makes 2/2 FT
Hansell shot doesn't drop, foul on Stelmahers, Williams out for Gardiner
Stelmahers with easy lay up
Williams pushing foul (3rd)
Dorsey for two
Foul on Williams
Vecvagars with the airball, rebound Williams, Hansell for three
Williams back on court to make second free throw and misses
Foul on Valeiko(3rd), Williams to the line for two, missed one, leaves the court with blood injury
England win Tip off
Third quarter ends 47- 57 to Latvia
Dorsey makes the first of two.
Valeiko foul, Dorsey to the line, 11:7 secs to go
Foul on Betts, takes the charge off Sturms
Bagatkis sinks Latvia's third back to back three in 1-13 run
Migliniekis for 3
Williams with spin move, misses the two.
2:00 to go, Bagatskis wide open for the 3, makes it. Time out England
WIlliams in for Bucknall
Baker misses the three from the top of the key, defensive board for Betts, Bucknall misses three, Valeiko for two
Betts with the rebound, foul on Stelmahers replaced by Vleiko. Betts turnover Bagatkis runs the floor for an easy two
Dorsey in for Gardiner, foul Hansell, stole the ball back, Bucknall with the turnover
Gardiner misses the 3, Stelmaher with the rebound, steal England, Betts for two, England lead 46-44, 4:43 to go in 3Q
Rebound by Sturms, foul Gardiner, 5:49 to go, Sturms to the line for 2, misses both
Foul number 2 for Helmanis, Betts to the line for two, makes first. Score tied 44-44
Stelmahers for 2
Latvia turnover, Huggins miss, Latvia with the rebound
Three points from Huggins
Huggins misses two, Makes the rebound a the defensive end
Gardiner hard to the basket,goes to the line for 2, Makes one
Betts steal
Huggins opens quarter with a field goalHalf-Time 37-42 to Latvia
Bagatkis attempts three and misses
Holding foul on Vecvagars, Betts to teh line for two, Makes both
Huggins fouled Bagatkis ona three point shot, Makes all three from the line
Bagatkis for three, Bucknall replies with three of his own
Betts on the baseline for two, Laksa foul, Betts to the line 1/1 FT
England time out
Bucknall with turnover, Bagatkis for long two, Bucknall assists Betts for dunk!
England on team fouls, Vecvagars to the line for two, makes both
Bucknall in for Dorsey, Bagatkis to the line for 2, makes both
Hansell pushing foul
Williams for two, runs the court to make defensive rebound, Hansell for two, Vecvagars replies with 2
Bagatkis for 3
Time out Latvia, Miginieks makes the 3
Knocked away by Betts, Hansell for two, Sturms for two, Betts rebounds Huggins shot and made the 2
Hansell in for Baker, Bagatskis for two, Latvia foul, Huggins 2/2 FT
Sturms for two, Betts replies for 2, Baker with the foul
Miginiekis misses three, Dorsey for 2, Huggins assist
Steal for Baker, foul on Miginieks, Betts to the line for two, Makes one
Foul on Dorsey, Williams in for Bucknall, Betts in for Haslam
Pushing foul on Valieko, Bucknall to the line for 2/2 FT
Baker with the rebound after Stelmahers misses 3
Latvia win tip offFirst quarter ends 11-16 to Latvia
Helmais replies with a three, Stelmahers fouls, Ronnie Baker checks in as Hansell sits out
Stelmahers misses the 3, rebound Huggins, steal by Huggins, Haslam for 2
Pushing foul on Tony Dorsey, England call time out
Stelmahers for 2
Haslam with fade away, doesn't drop
Latvia turnover, England possession, Dorsey in for Gardiner
Betts sub, Haslam in
Second foul for Betts, Sturms to the line 0/1 FT
Hansell for two
England gain possession following Latvian foul,Huggins makes jumper for two
Betts misses the jumper,
Roberts for two for Latvia
Hansell replies with three
Raimonds for two
Gardiner attempts three, Bucknall with rebound, Latvian foul, Hansell to the line for two, misses both
Bucknall replies with 2
Ainarsvfor three for Latvia
Foul on Raimonds, Latvia with the rebound
Janis 2 for Latvia
England win tip off
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