It was the last game of the season, and with the Leopards having no interest in the end of season play-offs, Coach Bob Donewald could afford to give his whole squad court time.

The game was a close contest during the first half but in the third quarter inconsistencies among the officials led to the Leopards collecting almost as many fouls as points, and in this situation there was no return.

The coach full of Leopards supporters who made the trip to the NEC Birmingham stood at the end of the game to greet the players who have worked tirelessly in the last few months to turn the season around.

Donewald gave Brian Moore his first start after his return from injury, and while Rashod Johnson collected two early fouls the Leopards were working well inside where Brandon Brantley and Dave Attewell were both effective.

Leopards took the lead at 11-9 following a Brian Moore successful three point shot that brought Coach Donewald to his feet.

A technical foul on Brandon Brantley led to the Bullets taking the lead from the foul line, when Donewald questioned the lack of consistency in the decision making of Referee Stokes he was "T"ed and Joel Burns hit four free throws.

As a result, the Bullets carried a nine point lead(24-15) into the second period.

The second quarter saw Kojo Bonsu slam the ball into the hoop for his first points and when on the next play Kojo executed a steal and scored, as a result, he had cut the lead to just six.

With three minutes left in the half Johnson re-entered the game and a three point shot cut the Bullets advantage to just three.

Unfortunately for the Leopards the foul count was working against them and successive Birmingham players went to the foul line to extend their lead meaning that the home side led by seven points at the interval.

Nevertheless, for the Leopards victory was still achievable.

The third quarter remained tight until the final four minutes of the period, Johnson and Kojo Bonsu ensured the Leopards stayed in contention.

However with a little under four minutes left in the quarter Dave Attewell was adjudged to have fouled Nigel Lloyd as the veteran Bullet went to the hoop, and on the next play, Johnson appeared to be blocked as he rose to lay the ball up, there was no call.

These decisions clearly affected the attitude of the Leopards players for the rest of the game.

The Bullets went on a 14-3 run either side of the break at the end of the third quarter and the game was effectively over.

With seven minutes remaining, Donewald resigned to defeat, removed the main starters and the bench players entered the game.

In the last five minutes a rare piece of sporting trivial was witnessed, a BBL side fielding five English players on court, as Donewald went with Ogunjimi,Mathurin,Lettieri, Moore and Bonsu.

However even this rarity soon came to an end when Kojo Bonsu fouled out.

As the game moved to the foul line the Leopards competed and it was left to Essex's own Andy Mathurin to score the final basket of the season as the Leopards ended the game trailing by 17 points.

The Leopards' points scorers were: Brandon Brantley 15, Kojo Bonsu 13, Rashod Johnson 11, Dave Attewell 10, Michael Martin 10,Steve Ogunjimi 8, Brian Moore 6, John Tresvant 6, and Andy Mathurin 2.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.