Riders stretch their lead to 12 points after comeback win
SUFFOCATING DEFENCE STOPPED PHOENIX CHARGE
LEICESTER Riders stretched their lead to 12 points at the top of the BBL Championship after coming from behind to beat Cheshire Phoenix 82-70 at the Morningside Arena.
Riders were without American point guard Geno Crandall, below, with a hand injury, and up against third-placed Cheshire who had beaten them with a last-second shot just over two weeks ago.
But Leicester used suffocating defence in a strong final quarter to win at a canter.
They won the final period by an extraordinary 21 points to 3, overcoming a seven-point deficit at the end of the third quarter.
Riders’ defence was epitomised by a stunning eight blocks of Phoenix shots, and their offence was aided by making a superb 11 of 21 three-pointers.
With Crandall out, the burden of running Riders’ offence fell to Conner Washington, and he stepped up with determination at both ends of the court, playing nearly 38 minutes.
He excelled in keeping the offense ticking over and helping to keep in check Phoenix’s dynamic back court of Kahron Ross and Mike McCall, who both had big games in their home win over Riders.
William Lee opened Riders’ scoring with a three-pointer and a jump shot from Washington gave the hosts a 5-0 start.
But Ross got Cheshire’s scoreboard moving with a three and that was matched by a Mustapha Heron three-pointer to keep Riders 10-7 ahead.
Former GB international Matthew Bryan-Amaning came off the bench for Phoenix to make two muscular scores inside before following that up with a three-pointer of his own, as the visitors went on an 11-4 run to give Cheshire an 18-15 first quarter lead.
An Aaron Falzon three stopped the rot at the
start of the second quarter, but Cheshire’s big American centre Jimbo Lull hit a couple of consecutive long range three pointers and Cheshire stayed in front 25-23. But consecutive threes from Washington and Jamell Anderson put Riders back in front, and consecutive scores from Heron and Lee had Riders ahead at 35-30, forcing Cheshire to a time-out.
That sparked an 11-4 run by Cheshire, which Lee halted with another three and at half-time the scores were level on 44 points. Heron was having his best game in a Riders shirt, and continued to score at regular intervals, but Riders were starting to tire and another Lull score inside and a Hayes three put Phoenix in front.
Riders head coach Rob Paternostro gave Washington a quick break late in the third period and Cheshire used the opportunity for a 7-0 run to lead 67-60 with ten minutes left.
Back came Washington, Riders’ defence tightened, and suddenly the Phoenix were struggling to score, or even work a decent shot. Meanwhile Washington and Heron hit consecutive scores and Riders were
in front 69-67 with five minutes and 45 seconds left.
Cheshire picked up a technical foul for complaining to the referees, and an unsportsmanlike foul after a steal by Washington, and Riders took full advantage with yet another Heron score to get Riders in front, 76-68, with two-and-a-half minutes left.
The expected final charge from Cheshire never came, as Ross fell heavily and left the game, and Riders eased to victory.
Heron top scored with 19 points, including three three-pointers, and added six rebounds.
Washington was superb throughout, with 15 points, including three three-pointers and he added 12 assists.
William Lee made a huge impression as usual. with 14 points on 66 per cent shooting and added three blocks and six rebounds.