Depleted Riders boost qualifying hopes after great win over Sharks
JOHNSON LEADS WAY IN BBL CUP GROUP VICTORY
AN understrength Leicester Riders made light work of Sheffield Sharks away in their BBL Cup match, with a comprehensive 85-64 victory.
The result improves Riders’ record to 3 and 1 in the North Group, and puts them in with a very good chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Leicester came out strong at the start, with sharpshooter Corey Johnson opening their account with a three pointer.
A Zach Jackson three helped Riders to a 10-3 lead after three minutes, with a William Lee dunk off a Geno Crandall assist also catching the eye.
Rob Marsden then scored four points in a row for the home side in a 5-0 Sharks run, before Darien Nelson-Henry and Lee combined well inside for an 18-10 Riders lead.
Another Jackson three helped Riders to a 24-17 first quarter lead.
Crandall and Johnson picked up two fouls apiece in the second period which meant an extended spell on the bench in an already depleted Riders team.
But Conner Washington was an able deputy at the point guard position and his three pushed Riders 30-24 clear three minutes into the second period.
Riders’ defence was causing Sharks to miss some close-in shots under pressure, and with Lee impressive and another Johnson three, Riders pushed their lead out to 40-26.
Johnson hit another three in the final minute to give Riders a welldeserved 45-31 lead at half-time.
Sheffield needed a strong start to the third quarter to get back into the game, and Nick Lewis obliged with a three, and then Marsden hit a couple of buckets in a row to cut the Riders’ lead to 49-38.
But fine play from Lee and Johnson sparked a Riders revival and suddenly the Sharks’ scoring dried up.
They were forced to a timeout with three minutes left in the quarter trailing 57-38.
Another Jackson three put Riders further in front, and then Sharks suffered a crucial blow when their star Antwon Lillard fouled out of the game, following a technical foul. Riders led 64-43 with ten minutes left.
Riders kept up the pressure in the fourth quarter with an eye on retaining their lead in case points difference came into deciding the tough North Group.
But the Sharks were picking up the fouls and Washington was the main beneficiary, picking up his points from the free throw line.
When Sheffield’s big man Bennett Koch also fouled out with four minutes left, the game was up.
Corey Johnson hit another three and Jamell Anderson did the same as Riders eased to a comfortable victory.
Once again Riders spread the scoring load, with five players in double figures.
William Lee again caught the eye with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while his front court partner NelsonHenry also had a double-double, with 14 points and ten rebounds.
But it was Riders’ three point shooting prowess that provided the edge, as Riders made 10 from 24, with Johnson best with four from eight as he top scored with 20 points.
Washington also impressed with 15 points, four rebounds and seven assists.