Brave Marjon fail in final bid at top dogs Durham
Coach George Hatchell's EBL Division Two team fell by 20 points, 103-83 at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
Durham currently lead the division and go through to meet Westminster, who won Sunday's second semi-final, 88-77 against Mansfield, in the final at Crystal Palace on February 28.
Durham outscored Marjon by 11, 27-16 in the first quarter and by eight, 24-16 in the second to open up a 19-point, 51-32 half-time lead.
Marjon rallied after the interval and edged the third 27-25 before Durham nicked the fourth 27-24.
Guard Sean Porter led Marjon with 19 points backed by 12 points from forward Matt Peard.
Porter had a team-high 16 points in Marjon's 83-71 loss to Brixton in the league at Marjons on Saturday night.
Peard added 13 points behind big-man John Peake's 15 points.
The 12 point defeat drops relegation-threatened Marjon to 2-11 and second-bottom of the 11-strong division.
Brixton go 11-2 on 11-2 leaders Durham's shirttails.
Marjon continue to chase 3-9 Medway Park, who they vitally visit on March 6 and who lost narrowly 74-72 at Mansfield on Saturday.
Medway are currently third-bottom.
Only the bottom two will be relegated this summer, subject to confirmation from the EBL in the off-season.
Marjon led by one, 19-18 after the opening frame against Brixton, but were outscored 27-17 in the second when the contest was ultimately decided.
Brixton edged the third 23-20 to extend their advantage to 12, 68-56 heading into the fourth, which was traded 15-15.
This Sunday, Marjon entertain 7-4 Edmonton at Marjons (4pm).
Meanwhile, Marjon's women were on the wrong end of a 55-point, 92-37 hammering at Women's EBL Division Two leaders Bristol Storm.
Marjon trailed by 30, 48-18 at half-time after dropping the first frame 20-6 and then the second 28-12.
They go 0-7 and remain the only winless team at the bottom of the division, while Storm go 8-2 in top spot.
Marjon face 5-4 City of Birmingham at Marjons this Saturday (4pm).
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