Narrow defeat for Student Riders
LOUGHBOROUGH Student Riders produced an impressive performance to push professional franchise London Lions all the way in front of a busy home crowd before coming up short to fall 73-81.
The British Basketball League (BBL) Trophy, a knockout contest competition featuring just three non-franchise teams from second division of the UK saw the Student Riders become the only non-professional team to reach the quarter-final stage.
The progression to the final eight meant Loughborough would host a professional team on campus, fourth place in the BBL London Lions, in front of a packed Sir David Wallace Arena for the first time.
The Student Riders had produced an historic season so far and carried that confidence into the their first ever home BBL Trophy action. The home side started in a strong fashion to stay level with the Lions in the opening minutes despite several close misses, exciting the home crowd to rally behind the young side.
The home support grew as the Student Riders took a second quarter lead behind a huge dunk from Dan Hemingway and led the game going into the half time break.
The positive performance continued into the second half as Head Coach Mark Jarram’s team’s defence continued to cause problems for the Lions who were never able to open a lead of more than six points and only one shot separated the two teams going into the final 10 minutes.
London’s Andre Lockhart put his side ahead by three at the buzzer before the strong play of Cory Dixon edged the Lions in front. Loughborough pushed back with some positive shooting from Hemingway, guard Alex Roberts and Charnwood College Student Morgan Carter.
Despite back-to-back threes from Charnwood College guard Sesan Russell in the dying minutes, London would hang on to victory in and all round great event of basketball on the Loughborough University Campus.
Coach Mark Jarram praised his team’s performance: “A tremendous 24 hours for not only the players but the entire programme - it will be something those players will never forget, an awesome lifetime experience and event.”