Down to the wire Riders v Eagles games this season
LEICESTER Riders and Newcastle Eagles, the two most successful teams in BBL history, are always extra competitive when they match-up because usually there is so much at stake.
Newcastle have won the Playoffs six times – more than any other club – but Riders are breathing down their necks with five wins, having last lost in the Play-offs in the final in May 2016.
The Eagles also have the most pieces of silverware in BBL history with 26, but Riders are second on 16.
In the last decade, Riders have the edge, having won 14 titles to Newcastle’s 13, with no other club having secured more than three over that period.
The teams have met six times this season, with each team winning three times. Here’s a reminder of those match-ups:
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November 8, 2020, BBL Cup Qualifying – Leicester 96, Newcastle 102
On the second weekend of the new season, the Eagles outlasted the Riders in a high-quality shooting fest, with 23 lead changes.
The scores were tied on 96 with just under three minutes left, before the Eagles scored the crucial points to come out victors.
Centre Evan Maxwell top scored for Newcastle on 26 points while Corey Johnson was top man for Riders with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
■■November 13, 2020, BBL Cup Qualifying – Newcastle 82, Leicester 88
Riders bounced back from their opening night defeat with a dominant final quarter in the away match in Newcastle. It was Eagles’ first defeat of the season.
Once again, the teams could barely be separated in the opening three quarters, but with point guard Geno Crandall pulling the strings, Riders pulled away in the final quarter. Crandall was Riders’ top scorer with 20 points and dished out four assists.
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January 12, 2021, BBL Cup Semi-final – Leicester 71, Newcastle 76
Riders were knocked out of the BBL Cup after a hard fought and intense semi-final at the Morningside Arena.
Nothing separated the sides through three quarters of the match, but a huge three by Eagles’ Justin Gordon gave the visitors a 73-70 lead with just under two minutes left in the game, and Riders could not find a way back, missing four shots in the final two minutes.
Crandall top scored for Riders with 17 points and five assists.
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February 17, 2021, BBL Championship – Leicester 83, Newcastle 75
Riders stayed at the summit of the BBL Championship after a tense, tough battle at home. After the game went one way and then the other in the first three quarters, Riders had too much class in the final period and pulled away.
The Eagles were without the Cup Final MVP Justin Gordon, and Riders looked to take advantage.
Captain Darien Nelson-Henry was Riders’ star man with 20 points, on 67 per cent shooting, and he pulled down 11 rebounds.
■■March 12, 2021, BBL Championship – Newcastle 73, Leicester 99
Riders completed their second highest victory in Newcastle in their history.
It was only the second time they had won there by over 20 points – the first time was by 28 points in October 1991.
They did it with seven players finishing with double figure points.
Conner Washington was top scorer with 21 points, including three of five three-pointers, and three rebounds and three assists.
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April 16, 2021, BBL Championship – Newcastle 90, Leicester 80
Riders suffered a setback in their march to the BBL Championship title when Eagles came from behind to beat the Riders at the Vertu Motors Arena.
Riders looked in control in the first half, without ever looking at their best, but ultimately aggressive Newcastle defence in the second half, and 24 turnovers by the Riders, converted into 29 Eagles points, proved decisive.
Crandall top scored for Riders with 16 points and added 10 rebounds.