The Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders overcame the third-placed Marshall MK Lions by 100-85 in the East Midlands. Bradd Wierzbicki led their scoring with 26 points, while Jason Johnson had 15 and 14 rebounds.
Games between these two sides are always intriguing, with both being founder members of the BBL in 1987, and this one was no different. Prior to tonight, the teams had won 37 games each in head-to- head clashes since that time, with the Riders now taking the edge. It is their third win in four games and sees them join the Lions on 24 league points.
The Riders had established a strong position in the first quarter as Jason Johnson scored four in an 11-3 opening. But that run was stopped by a Yorick Williams three-pointer, and the Lions took the lead after an 11-4 burst was capped by an EJ Harrisons triple to make the score 16-17. Five lead changes ensued as the teams played out the first period, with the hosts taking the edge at 22-21 as Duane James scored the last basket of the quarter.
The pattern continued in the second period as there were a further five early lead changes as Mike New and Frank Holmes hit. The Lions established a slight advantage midway through as Harrison netted five in a 7-2 tear that made the score 32-37. He had nine points in the final 5.40 of the half as the Lions maintained their lead at 41-45 going into the break.
The Riders went about narrowing the gap immediately in the third period and the teams became tied at 53. But the Lions scored the next 5 points to keep a narrow lead at 64-67 going into what became an ill-tempered fourth quarter.
The teams were tied again at 73 in the fourth, with sloppy play from both sides meaning no one could get away. A drive by harrison to the basket missed and no foul called leading to an easy score for the Riders, they posted a 14-3 run to take a commanding 90-78 lead with 1.35 remaining, with key plays including a three-pointer from Tony Windless Yorick Williams missed a three then with the Lions trying to foul to stop the clock Robert Youngblood and LaTaryl Williams got involved in a confrontation. Players poured off both benches, for which Barry Lamble (Riders), and Guy Dupuy were ejected. The game continued in a similar vein with fouls on both sides as the Riders saw it out from the free-throw line.
Lions now have 6 losses as they chase Newcastle and Sheffield at the top of the League.
Lions boss Vince Macaulay had this to say, " I don't know what all the fuss is about, we lost to the better team on the night and things got fraught when fouls weren't called, we've seen it all before, fortunately we go off to Cheshire tomorrow and hope we can play better".
The lions will face the Jets at 5.30pm tomorrow at the Northgate Arena.
