ABA 2024-25: Ambassadors thrash Raiders, Sonics hand Barking Owls first loss of season

A fast-starting Ambassadors secured a brilliant 20-point victory over the winless Albany Raiders in round six of the Albany Basketball Association on Tuesday night.

Ambassadors launched out of the blocks with a 16-2 run through the opening nine minutes to set up a strong 55-35 win.

Caleb Carman (12 points) was instrumental in the opener with smart cuts to the hoop to find easy lay-ups and scored 10 points to the first buzzer.

He was buoyed by Jesse Carman (12 points), who found pockets of space in the keyway and provided cool finishes off the glass.

As the Raiders began to work into the fixture midway through the first half, the Ambassadors put their foot down again and lit up the floor with a 10-4 run to take a 34-15 lead into the break.

Eli Eaton top scored on another trying night for the Raiders with eight points while William Chetwin contributed seven.

Reigning premiers Sonics handed Barking Owls their first loss of the season with a six-point win in a rousing high-scoring affair.

Mark Elentorio overcame an injury scare from last week’s game to register 21 points while David Arthur and Kayden Collins shot lights out from three-point land for 19 points each.

Arthur sank two triples while Collins netted three as the Soncis powered to a 69-63 win.

Owls centre Hamish McMorran scored a team-high 16 points while slashing guard James Watters added an important 13.

In the other match of the round, North Albany defeated Denmark 48-35 to remain second on the ladder.

Nathan Lillicrap scored a team-high 15 points while Calum Dixon chipped in with 13 points including two baskets from beyond the arc.

Magpies guard Kye Griffiths was sublime in the loss with a game-high 19 points while Luke Wilson added a crucial 12 points.