BBL Week 8 Headlines: Patriots stun Lions, Phoenix climb to third

Image credit: British Basketball League

The latest week of British Basketball League action saw a huge surprise as the last unbeaten record finally came to an end.

There were split weekends for three of the top four, while the bottom three sides all have two wins apiece as the gaps close.

Patriots end London’s perfect start

Bottom defeated top on Sunday as Plymouth City Patriots became the first BBL team to beat London Lions this season with a surprise 94-70 victory. Taylor Johnson top scored with a game-high 24 points against the much-changed visitors, who were led by 21 points from Bradley Kaboza.

Phoenix up to third with double win

Cheshire Phoenix have rose to third in the league standings as they enjoyed a double-winning week. Ben Thomas’ side first eased to a derby win over Manchester Giants as Ethan Chargois posted 24 points and Laquincy Rideau dished out 14 assists in the 88-116 success.

They backed up the victory with another road triumph in beating Surrey Scorchers 73-91 behind a 26-7 fourth quarter effort to improve to a 7-4 record.

Riders avenge Eagles loss with crushing win

Leicester Riders renewed their fierce rivalry with Newcastle Eagles with a dominant performance to win 111-88 on home soil. Jaren Holmes led the way with a 28-point haul for the Riders as they made 16 three-pointers in the win, while a 36-19 third period proved pivotal.

Elsewhere, Bristol bounced back from a 95-67 loss to London by overcoming Caledonia Gladiators 94-77 with 27 points for Tevin Jacob. The FIBA Europe Cup side had picked up their sixth win in defeating Plymouth City Patriots 72-82, while Sheffield Sharks earned a 92-73 success over Manchester.

Results: Giants 88-116 Phoenix, Patriots 72-82 Gladiators, Lions 95-67 Flyers, Scorchers 73-91 Phoenix, Riders 111-88 Eagles, Sharks 92-73 Giants, Flyers 94-77 Gladiators, Patriots 94-70 Lions

Standings: Lions 12-1; Flyers 8-4; Phoenix 7-4; Gladiators 6-3; Riders 6-4; Sharks 6-5, Eagles 3-7; Giants 2-8, Scorchers 2-8; Patriots 2-10

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