In the second quarter the Crusaders continued their run, leading by as much as 12 points. Luethy was the main offensive threat to Trailblazers, with good contributions from teenager Sydney Donaldson and big man Robert Clarke, who has returned to Coventry after a stint playing for Worcester Wolves. By half time the score-line had spread with the home side ahead 48-39.
The second half was better for Trailblazers who outscored Crusaders 19-16 in the third, with Allaway and Simon Spencer putting points on the board. Crusaders' ex-Junior player, Kane Hudson hit a three, along with threes from Ben Clarke, Donaldson, and Sudler as Crusaders led 64-58 at the end of the third. The match then became a lot tighter.
Trailblazers continued to work hard and with Spencer going to the line at least ten times during the course of the game and shooting all 10 of his free throws, the gap gradually continued to decrease. Derby came within one point of catching the home team and then both teams' scoring capability seemed be momentarily suspended. The score line was too close to call, for a short while, before Neely made a couple of substitutes and Crusaders surged forward to victory.
Sudler netted seven three-pointers among his 25 debut points. Other Crusaders scorers: Luethy 18, B.Clarke 13, R.
Clarke 12, Donaldson 9, Hudson 3, Payne 2.
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