Leicester Riders lift BBL Cup by beating Eagles 85-80

The NIA played host to the Newcastle Eagles and Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for the second time in eight months as the two sides met in Birmingham on Sunday to contest the season’s first shot at Silverware in the BBL Cup Final.

The arena was packed but for a few cheap seats and although the raucous Eagles fans were in attendance to cheer on their side, it was the Riders who had the larger support on the day.

And like the unbalanced ratio of fans in the stands, the action on the court was also lop-sided with the Riders coming out on top in the first half with an offensive display that had the crowd on their feet for large periods.

The Newcastle Eagles won the tip and Defoe had the first score but some early Drew Sullivan scores helped the Riders to a first quarter lead. The Eagles struggled from distance throughout, drawing blanks from downtown and ending the first period 0-7 from deep and down, 20-17.

A second quarter lead was reclaimed by the Eagles thanks to a Joe Chapman three, which made it 24-22 but from that moment until the closing minutes in the half, the Riders took control.

A combination of defensive full-court pressure, good ball rotation and open looks inside saw the Riders respond to the deficit by taking an 11 point lead. Punctuating the run by the Riders was a steal, two handed slam on the defender and trip to the line for Jamell Anderson that had the building shaking.

Credit to the Eagles, who refused to be rattled – a possible result of their regular finals appearances – and Charles Smith showed single-handidly why the Eagles shouldn’t be ruled out, as he battled alone inside to grab four straight rebounds before finishing and getting fouled.

That cut the Riders margin but at the half, Leicester still had the lead at 45-36.

The third period saw the Eagles push to close the gap but each time they looked to be turning the tide, the Riders would have a response. And that response was Jay Couisnard (MVP with 17 points). Stone cold from deep in the first two quarters, Couisnard was red hot in the third, shooting three-for-three to keep the Riders afloat.

But the story of the second half was the revival of the Eagles and the response from the Riders. With three minutes to go in the game and the score at 78-72, Sullivan turned the ball over and Smith scored. On the next possession, Sullivan, again, turned the ball over which led to a Chapman two. The third turnover came courtesy of Calvo and when Smith scored inside to tie the game at 78, the momentum was firmly in the Eagles favour.

Out of a Riders time-out, Rowe forced a foul and hit one of two free throws which the Eagles responded to with a Flournoy lay-up. Eagles had the lead with time running out and their faithful now whipped into a frenzy, the Riders looked like they would succumb to the Eagles in a Final for the second time in 12 months.

But when you want a big play, on a team of big players, there are none bigger than Zaire Taylor. Used to taking big shots on his previous teams, Taylor canned a three, turned to the crowd and gave a smoking gun finger salute.

And when Sullivan made a key block in the lane moments later, the Riders were back in control and within touching distance of the BBL Cup. All that was needed was for Calvo to nail his free throws, which he duly did, and the trophy was in Leicester’s hands.

An 85-80 Riders win will forever be in Leicester history now. Although credit must go to the Eagles for coming close to an amazing comeback victory, the seal has been broken on their Final strangle hold and may usher in a new era – the era of the Riders.

There is a long way to go in the season and the Eagles are still in prime position to compete on three other fronts but for today, the Riders take the victory and sit top of the BBL silverware list for 2012/13.

For all the stats in the game, visit www.bbl.org.uk or alternatively, click here.

Listen to post-game interviews with Rob Paternostro, Yorick Williams, Drew Sullivan and Jay Cousinard.