THE Essex Leopards powered their way into the National Cup second round with a 95-48 victory against Barking Abbey at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday.  

Dave Ajumobi led the way with 21 points and four assists as the Big Cats proved too strong for the young visiting side.

They will now host Hackney White Heat at a date and venue to be announced.

Josh Foulds opened the score for Abbey but back-to-back scores from Courtney Van Beest gave Leopards a lead they would never lose.

Ajumobi sunk a trey to send Leopards into the first break with a 23-12 lead, and a 15-0 run across the first two periods effectively ended the game as a contest as the home team led 42-23 at half-time.

A 12-2 start to the second half continued the pain for the visitors, and Leopards led 68-31 at the final break before wrapping things up with a 27-17 fourth period.
Van Beest and Will Ashby finished with 16 points apiece, while Lawrence Brown and Marvin Isebor each adding ten points. 

Friday’s home game against London Lions proved to be something of an anti-climax as a depleted Leopards’ side went down 87-48 in front of a big crowd at the Brentwood Centre.

With east London gridlocked and flash flooding leading to delays on the railways, Leopards were without several key players and after a good start the Big Cats were overpowered.

Leopards have a busy time on Saturday with a day of basketball at the Brentwood Centre, starting at 2pm when they will face a team made up of American air force players from Lakenheath.  

The Americans were one of Leopards’ first opponents back in 2004 when the two sides came together in a pre-season tournament, and Robert Youngblood’s team can expect a tough game. 

At 4pm there will be a special coaching clinic for young players with members of the Big Cats first team. 

A place on the coaching clinic can be book by calling 07828 470015.
Then at 6pm Leopards return to action on the court to face Dagenham Dragons in a second friendly game.