Riders Gain Ground, Royals Move to Top 4 - BBL Round Up, Week 19 - Hoopsfix.com
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Riders Gain Ground, Royals Move to Top 4 – BBL Round Up, Week 19

By on February 11, 2019
Conner Washington

Another action packed weekend in the BBL saw Leicester Riders pick up two wins to match Lions’ win total, whilst London City Royals climbed into the top four.

Additionally, the opening legs of the BBL Trophy Semi-Finals were played.

Here’s a look at the standings:

And here’s a round up of all the action:

Thursday 7th February

London City Royals 91-83 Bristol Flyers
BBL Championship
London City Royals are still flawless on their home court this season after they eased past the out of sorts Bristol Flyers, 91-83.

The hosts put on a second half show to move into the Top 5, while Flyers are reflecting on their continued struggles after losing for the sixth time in seven games.

The Royals posted an 11-2 finish to the third period and that effectively put the game to bed as they moved 18 points ahead. It gave them a huge cushion for when Bristol tried to launch a late salvage mission.

Matthew Bryan-Amaning didn’t shoot the ball as well as he would have liked and yet still completed a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, as well as swatting 3 shots.

Ed Lucas did shoot well for his 17 points, while Ashley Hamilton did absolutely everything in an all-action 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 2 assists, and Will Neighbour added 14.

For Bristol, Jalan McCloud’s 28 would not be enough, as Fred Thomas had 24 and Daniel Edozie joined them in double figures with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Box score.

Friday 8th February

Leicester Riders 76-69 Cheshire Phoenix
BBL Championship
Leicester Riders closed the gap at the top of the BBL Championship as they overcame Cheshire Phoenix 76-69 for another home win.

Cheshire turned a six-point half-time deficit into a six-point lead at 53-59 late in the third before the home side mounted their fight back. The Riders took over with their defence setting the tone in a dominant fourth quarter as they kept their opponents to 10 points.

Pierre Hampton led the way for the Riders with 20 points with Andy Thomson contributing 16 off the bench. Holder added 9 rebounds to 15 points, while Conner Washington handed out 10 assists as the Riders’ depth showed once again.

Louis Sayers led Cheshire with 17, CJ Gettys had 14 and 16 rebounds, and Daniel Norl 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, but Phoenix are now at 10-11 in seventh place in the table.

Box score.

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 93-85 Manchester Giants
BBL Championship
Esh Group Eagles Newcastle claimed their first win at their new venue as they defeated Manchester Giants 93-85 at the Eagles Community Arena.

The Eagles avenged their Trophy loss against the Giants last month as they improve their league record to 12-6 with Danny Byrne’s side dropping to 9-10.

The Giants made an 8-20 start before the Eagles rallied and took their first lead in the second. Rahmon Fletcher suffered an injury in the third, but Newcastle finished the third strong in his absence with Kyle Williams’ three at the buzzer making it a nine-point lead and they were able to close out the win in the fourth.

Victor Moses top scored with 26 points in the win for the Eagles along with 9 rebounds, while Darius Defoe posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Kyle Williams came up with an important 20 points off the bench. Rahmon Fletcher had 9 assists in 23 minutes.

Ingus Bankevics had 21, Willie Clayton had 18 points and 18 rebounds, Callum Jones had 15 and Vlatko Granic finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Box score.

Sunday 10th February

Manchester Giants 74-101 London Lions
BBL Trophy, Semi-Final, First Leg
London Lions have one foot back in another Final this season after a commanding 74-101 victory on the road against Manchester Giants in their Trophy semi-final first leg.


The Cup winners will take a 27-point lead back to the Copper Box with Manchester facing an uphill battle in Thursday’s Second Leg.

The Lions made a strong start and forced Willie Clayton into three quick fouls and despite a fightback from an under-manned Giants team in the third, the visitors pulled clear for a big winning margin.

Justin Robinson starred with a 28-point haul in the win for the Lions, while Ladarius Tabb (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Brandon Peel (12 points and 10 rebounds) both contributed valuable double-doubles. Jordan Spencer had 13 points and 8 steals.

Vlatko Granic finished with 25 to lead Manchester, Mike McCall had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, whilst Callum Jones had 15, as Clayton was neutralised with 5 points and 9 rebounds.

Box score.

Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks 99-82 Bristol Flyers
BBL Championship
Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks continued their unbeaten run this month with a 99-82 victory over Bristol Flyers, on BBC Sport.

The Flyers came out firing in the third having been 11 down at half-time as they knocked down five straight threes in a 15-3 burst to take a 53-57 lead.

However, the Rocks also got hot from downtown – finishing with 56% shooting from beyond the arc- and a strong 10-2 finish made it an eight-point game ahead of the fourth and pulled clear for the win.

Greg Pryor led a balanced attack with 18 points and five assists in the win as six players in total hit double figures for the home side, with Ali Fraser having 16 and Gareth Murray 14.

Fred Thomas led Bristol with 27, Jalan McCloud had 15, and Mike Vigor added 11.

Box score.

Plymouth Raiders 87-90 Leicester Riders
BBL Championship
Leicester Riders came from behind to defeat Plymouth Raiders 87-90 on the road as they joined London Lions on 14 league wins.

The hosts led by 11 points at the end of the first quarter, but the Riders gradually battled back and took the lead on a 10-0 run late in the fourth. Down 79-86 ahead of the final minute, Plymouth hit back-to-back threes to apply late pressure before Tim Williams sealed the win with an open dunk.

Williams was huge for the Riders as he continues to make an instant impact since his arrival – a game-high 34 points on an impressive 16 of 19 shooting, whilst adding five boards and three assists.

Josh Ward Hibbert had 15 and JR Holder 12, whilst Plymouth were led by 21 from Donte Nicholas, 17 and 6 assists from Josh Wilcher and 14 from Rashad Hassan.

Rob Paternostro’s side move to 14-4 after extending their win streak over the Raiders to 25 consecutive games with the home side now at 10-10.

Box score.

Surrey Scorchers 73-94 London City Royals
BBL Championship
London City Royals followed up Thursday’s home win with another victory in the league after seeing off Surrey Scorchers 73-94 on the road.

The Royals avenged their defeat on New Year’s Day to move into the top four with their 11-6 record, as they raced out to a 4-16 start and never looked back in a convincing victory. After an even second, the visitors dominated the third to push their lead close to 30 points.

Will Neighbour starred against his former side with an all-round display consisting of 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks with Ed Lucas also netting 18 points in the win, while Wes Washpun contributed 9 points, 10 rebounds and six assists ahead of Tuesday’s Trophy Semi-Final.

Surrey were led by 19 from Quincy Taylor, 15 from Anthony Elechi and 14 from Willie Atwood, but they fall to 3-16.

Box score.

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