Leicester Riders v London Lions 73-74

After the postponement of Leicester v Surrey on New Years Day, this game was arranged to replace it and what a game it is! So, here is my match report and summary of what is set to be a thriller.

Corey Johnson opens up the scoring, DeAndre Liggins for the lions drives with a left handed layup, William Lee says no, Corey Johnson gets off to a bright start with 8 points inside 3minutes of action.

Justin Robinson, the lions floor general dishes out the assists handing the rock to Orlando Parker who is averaging 21ppg on the season, for a three from the wing to extend the lions lead to 4. Conner Washington gets the Riders offense back underway, splitting the defense with an and one possession, trimming the lions lead with 4.30 to go. Riders use vinces magic against him with a full court press leading to a Trademark William Lee slam, with 4.10 on the clock.

An exciting end to the quarter, finishing 19-19, Kevin Ware takes it to the rim on his birthday to create a gap of 3, but fan favourite Jamell Anderson, answers back on the buzzer to tie the game.

More of the same to open up the 2nd quarter 22-25 with 7,49 to go, after a tangling up between Joe Ikhinmwin and Conner Washington, London inbound, Washington gets his hands to out, but it sees itself out of bounds and Vince calls a timeout to try draw something up and extend the Lions slim 3point lead.

Ikhinmwin forces a steal on the Leicester riders and passes up a 3pt opportunity, instead passes to Dirk Williams in the corner, who gets fouled behind the arc, shooting 3, free throws. Leading to a London Lions 11pt lead on a 7-0 run.

Riders offense has gone stagnant without a score in 3 mins, Parker gets the stop on Nelson-Henry, with Kevin Ware running the fast break and an alley oop forcing a timeout for Rob Paternostro's men, with a 13pt lead. The timeout worked! Leicester see a response with a 8-0 run out of the timeout trimming the lead to 5. 30-35.

The lead is at 5, after London answer back after a run of 11-3, leaving the Lions scoreless for 4mins. Jules Dang Akodo check into the game and hits the second of two back to back threes for the Lions extending the lead back out to 8.

An exciting affair so far at the Morningside Arena with the first half finishing 44-39 in favour of the Lions after a strong And One possession from Ali Fraser.

This game has been an exciting one, both teams going on lenghty scoring runs 11, 10 respectively. Leaders at the Half:

Points -

Dirk Williams (10)

Geno Crandall (10)

Corey Johnson (9)

Rebounds -

DeAndre Liggins (6)

William Lee (5)

Orlando Parker (5)

Assists -

Justin Robinson (4)

Darien Nelson - Henry ( 3)

DeAndre Liggins (3)

Insside to 3rd quarter, William Lee trims the lead to 3 with a 3 from the top of the key, after this exciting start to the 3rd. 45-50 with 7,28 to go.

Crandall adds to his tally with a 3 of his own, with 5.30 to go in the 3rd. Crandall has 18pts leading all scorers. William Lee shows off his athleticism with a dunk from the free-throw line, Jordan esque. three point ball game with 02.11 to go in the third.

This is really a game of runs. The riders win the quarter 20-18, however still behind by 3, 59-62. This is going to be an exciting 4th quarter!

Jamell Anderson strokes the 3 home to give the riders a slim, 1 point lead in the 4th Quarter.

After not scoring for the first 2mins, Liggins drives, and lays the ball up to trim the riders lead to 1, in a tight affair in Leicester. Conner Washington gets his 9th point of the game, with a 3 of his own. Leicester Riders, came out of the blocks flying in the 4th quarter, Washington distributing the wall to William Lee for the layup to force a timeout (73-66) William Lee has 15pts 9rebs, 1reb short of a double-double. Averaging 14ppg and 8reb on the season!

Leicester with a series of defensive possessions, leading to an offensive foul from x2MVP, Justin Robinson.

Leicester falling asleep. Dirk Williams is not, making a dunk, Leicester inbound again , turnover, ONE POINT GAME.

Another sloppy possession from the riders, leading to an early stop from the Lions, Orlando Parker hits the baseline midrange, Lions ahead by 1 74-73, two seconds to go.

The Game finishes 74-73 in favour of the London Lions, after a game winning block from DeAndre Liggins.