Coach hails ‘tremendous performance’ in big win
CONFIDENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM ON SHOW AS RIDERS TOP THE LEAGUE OVER CHRISTMAS
LEICESTER Riders completed their second comprehensive win over Newcastle Eagles at the Morningside Arena, this time winning 101-72, in a game they dominated throughout.
It keeps Riders top of the BBL Championship at Christmas, as their other game scheduled for the weekend, at Surrey Scorchers, was cancelled by Surrey due to Covid protocols.
It leaves the Eagles at just four and four in the Championship, the first time they have not had a winning record at Christmas since 2003.
Geno Crandall once again showed his BBL MVP credentials with 22 points, including five of nine threepointers, along with four rebounds, two steals and four assists, as Riders won all four quarters.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro was impressed with what he saw.
“I thought it was a tremendous performance by the guys,” he said.
“We were in control from start to finish.
“When you watch us play, you are seeing a team with lots of confidence and professionalism and playing team basketball.
“It has been fun to be around these guys in spite of all the other things going on.
“The games are great, but it is day in and day out where the work gets done.
“Whether in the weight room or on the practice court or in the film room, there is tremendous professionalism.
“It was another good performance and a great way to finish going into Christmas.
“We have a little break now, which will be nice, but not too long either.”
“We can get our mind and bodies together now but need to remember there are a lot of games to go.”
Elsewhere in the BBL, Manchester Giants earned a place in the BBL Cup Final, after overturning a 10-point deficit from the first leg in their semi-final against Glasgow Rocks, winning 184-181 on aggregate.
Manchester made what initially looked like a difficult job on paper look easy as they managed to cut the aggregate deficit to just one point at half-time.
However, after a brilliant third quarter from the Rocks, the Giants once again found themselves 10 points behind with just 10 minutes left.
Jordan Whelan then stepped up as he knocked down some important shots and made multiple clutch plays to help shift momentum back in the Giants favour.
Manchester point guard Tyrik Armstrong led the game for points (25) and contributed a team-high seven assists.
The total was only beaten in the entire game by Rocks guard Jordan Johnson, who contributed eight points, grabbed seven rebounds and added an impressive 15 assists.
In the Championship, Glasgow bounced back with an 87-84 victory over Bristol Flyers.
After a tight first half, the Rocks built a 15-point lead late in the third quarter before Flyers got within two points in the final minute.
Johnson was star man with 28 points and 13 assists for Glasgow, while Jordan Harris added 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Cheshire Phoenix hammered an undermanned Plymouth City Patriots 120-69.
Plymouth were hit by Covid and could field only hit players.
Cheshire were led by Larry Austin’s 21 points and 10 assists, while Noah Dickerson added 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Riders are in action next Monday at the Morningside Arena (6pm) against Plymouth in the BBL Championship.
That serves as the appetiser for another home match against London Lions, in the second leg of the semi-final of the BBL Cup, on Thursday, December 30 (8pm).
Riders hold a three-point edge from the first leg, with the winner to face Manchester in the cup final at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on January 30.