Teesside University Men's basketball team confirmed as champions of Northern Tier 4

Teesside University basketball team with team director and head coach James Thomson (left). Photo courtesy of Teesside Lions.

Teesside University have been confirmed as champions of Northern Men's Tier 4 and earn promotion to Tier 3, after a 74-53 victory over Leeds Trinity.

Lithuanian guard, Benas Maldutis (pictured central in number 5) led the team in scoring with 32 points, supported by Dave Cosgrove (pictured second from left in the back row) and Temi Olusesi (pictured second from right), who scored 17 and 12 respectively.

Teesside University basketball team director and head coach James Thomson said: "We had an ambition to win the league and recruited high-level players over the summer who have been fantastic additions. We were hungry to win.

"Going into the last game, it was a bit nervous because we didn't have Toby (Scully)—he's a big 6'8" centre who has an impact just by standing still. We also didn't have AJ (Harris), who had 37 points in the previous game against the same team.

"When you take those two out, you wonder if it’s the 'banana peel' that slips you up. Thankfully, the depth of the squad was enough to take us over the line relatively comfortably. I'm very happy with how the university programme is coming together."

Maldutis, who is in his debut year with the University team, said that he "feels great" after the win and it is a "good achievement".

Maldutis said: "I feel confident about moving up to Tier 3. I feel like the same thing's going to happen but I have to step up, bring my A-game to all of the games and just try and dominate where I can.

"Me and AJ, we've got chemistry. We've got it on and off the floor. We’re working out, talking to each other, trying to get further. So hopefully we can keep that going and get better."

6'8 Centre, Scully said winning the title was "a good feeling." and was something they had "expected" to achieve at the start of the season.

Scully said: "We started off the year with quite a tough schedule; we played some of the better teams and then we won there and had to go on from there."

Guard, Olusesi, who is studying Sports and Exercise described the title win as "a good feeling." and as "a good way to cap off the season".

Olusesi said: "Being able to study and commit to academics is good, but also being able to play basketball and have fun in that way is also good—a good break from the academic side as well. So, a good balance really."

Teesside had a dominant campaign, winning all 8 of their fixtures with two still to play.

The team boasts two players that play semi-professional basketball in Maldutis and AJ Harris. They play for NBL division 1 side Teesside Lions, who are chaired by director James Thomson.

Lions' fans will be hoping Maldutis and AJ Harris will be full of confidence as they face St Helens Saints in the Lions last home game of the season.