Riders lose thriller to start their campaign
LEICESTER Riders lost out in a thriller to the Bristol Flyers in the opening match of the BBL season, going down 85-84 at the Morningside Arena.
Riders dominated the opening period and led most of the way, but the Flyers hung in there and chipped away, taking a five-point lead in the fourth quarter.
But Riders reasserted themselves and looked to have swung the game in their favour with a two-point lead with under 30 seconds left.
But as they had been all evening, the Flyers were patient on offence and swung the ball around under intense defensive pressure from the Riders, before finding Josh Rodgers who hit a three-pointer to edge them in front.
Leicester still had the game in their hands, with the returning Geno Crandall weaving his way to the basket and appearing to draw a foul which was not called.
But Riders immediately forced a Bristol turnover with five seconds left, and Riders had one last opportunity.
They found a wide-open Conner Washington for a three-pointer from the corner, but Washington was having an off-night shooting and the shot rimmed out.
Earlier, Riders fans welcomed Crandall back after only arriving in Leicester on Thursday afternoon and without a practice session with his team-mates due to a prolonged visa delay.
But he picked up where he left off last season, running the Riders offence with aplomb and helping the team take a 23-14 first quarter lead.
But if Riders were expecting the Flyers to fold under the defensive pressure, they were mistaken and with point guard Mike Miller looking assured and finding the open man on his way to nine assists, the visitors clawed themselves back into the game, helped by some superb long-range shooting.
Rodgers was a perfect six from six from the floor and new American Trejon Jacobs hit five threepointers. By half-time, Riders’ lead was down to 42-39.
Canadian guard Kimbal Mackenzie sparked Riders in the third quarter with some tenacious defence and with Crandall finding captain Darien Nelson-Henry with ease, Riders edged the quarter.
New signing Jubril Adekoya was making a big impression at both ends of the court and American Marc Loving, who joined Riders in Holland after William Lee announced his retirement, was keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Riders had a five-point lead heading into the final period and looked in control.
But Bristol kept battling and Riders made a couple of sloppy passes, and the visitors took advantage.
In the end, Bristol held their nerve under pressure from Riders and the two players who arrived just before the game, Crandall and Zach Jackson, looked to be feeling the rigours of their recent travels.
The forgiving nature of this stage of the BBL Cup, whereby four of the five teams in the group will qualify for the next stage, means Riders have plenty of opportunities to make amends.
Crandall looked like he had never been away, with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Adekoya was top scorer with 15 points and five rebounds, and Nelson-Henry chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds.
But Riders’ three-point shooting was not up to scratch, making just six from 22 attempts.