What a difference a few weeks make
The last time the two teams faced each other was in Milton Keynes Arena in the BBL Trophy and it was a contest that the Lions won with ease, pouncing on the Riders from the very first whistle and not letting up all game. Gill was the name on everyone’s lips that day as he lit it up from beyond the arc, torching the opposition for 26 points en route to a 107-90 victory.
Fast forward 22 days and with the comfort of playing in front of a packed out JSSC, the Leicester Riders showed not only their opponents but the entire BBL, just what they are capable of as they beat the MK Lions at a canter, 102-67.
The last competitive game that the Riders played in was way back on the 16th October when they beat the Cheshire Jets (their Quarter Final BBL Cup opponents) but instead of allowing the players to fill that down-time by themselves, Riders coach Rob Paternostro had them training regularly, strengthening the bond between the still relatively new players and creating a team hungry for success.
And in an almost mirror image of the Trophy loss to the Lions, the Riders started the quickest in the Cup tie and once in front, never looked back.
Lead by Cameron Rundles’ outstanding first half shooting (7/8 from the field for 19 at the half with four assists and four boards) and the star quality of Drew Sullivan (16 points, 4 boards and 4 assists in the first two periods), the Riders dominated the battling Lions and ended the half up by 30 at 62-32.
The second half started in a scrappy manner with the Lions trying to fan the flames of a comeback while the Riders tried to extinguish them and neither side managed to get on the score sheet for the opening two minutes of the third period.
The scoring stand-off was eventually broken by the Lions who trimmed the lead by two, only to find that the Riders took exception to having their defence penetrated and unleashed the beast that is Brett Royster.
The Riders #40 went on a blocking rampage as he swatted away and altered almost everything that entered the paint, eventually ending the game with five blocks to his name to go along with his 5 points and 7 rebounds in only 19 minutes.
With the defence anchored by Royster, the Riders were free to attack the Lions at will resulting in Wierzbicki, Hardy and Sullivan all scoring 20 points and Rundles picking up 23.
At the final buzzer, the Riders were runaway winners and although the victory over their fierce rivals may not entirely make up for the Trophy exit, it will certainly be remembered as one of the great Riders performances in their history and even more importantly than that, it has allowed them to progress on to the quarter finals of the Cup.
Game notes
Cameron Rundles played all 40 minutes. Iron man.
Drew Sullivan was fouled eight times and took 12 free throws.
Bradd Wierzbicki shot 57% from 3pt range.
Ayron Hardy recorded a double-double: 20 points and 11 boards.
For the Lions, Daniel Northern and Howard Crawford fouled out.
Bolds lead the scoring for the visitors with 15. Pedroso had 14.
On the rare occasions Sullivan turned over the ball, he made instant
amends by chasing down the offensive player and completing a huge
defensive play (3 blocks in the game).
Quotes
Riders coach Rob Paternosto on…
…a big win against the MK Lions:
“The guys were fired up from the start. The good thing about this game was that we had a clear understanding about the team because we had played them a couple of times (both times in the BBL Trophy).
“I thought early on we shot the ball extremely well which was very important. But defensively, to hold that team, who had been scoring so many points, to 32 points in the first half was a really good job.”
…the difference between the big loss to the Lions and the big win
over the Lions:
“Drew Sullivan makes us a better basketball team. I thought he was phenomenal today. All the things he does on the floor have given the other guys confidence in the ability to make plays. And Royster adds a dimension that I don’t think we had before to protect the basket.”
“With that being said, I think every player we have on this team is better than last time and that’s why it’s been such a pleasure to go to practice every day because you can see Cameron Rundles, Ayron Hardy, Bradd Wierzbicki, Barry Lamble, Jamell Anderson day in and day out getting better.”
…Cameron Rundles and Ayron Hardy:
“Two guys who have turned programmes around in College. They went into situations and turned them around and they were both huge reasons why their programmes became successful.
“Both of them are leaders in different ways. Cameron is vocal and Ayron inspires his team-mates with the way he plays. He has such a high basketball IQ which is why I enjoy working with him.”
…Cameron Rundles playing the full forty minutes:
“Flinder was struggling a little bit with a calf (injury). We were prepared to use him in an emergency but I told Cam (Rundles) before the game to be ready to play 40 (minutes). He was ready.”
Cameron Rundles on…
… the benefit of Andrew Sullivan (and Cam’s self-appointed role):
“His basketball IQ is so high that he forces you to get open shots. He’s kind of like a coach. So we have three coaches – Rob, Drew and me.”
…playing at the JSSC:
“I love playing here man. It’s a great atmosphere. With everyone screaming, I love it. So when you hit a shot, everybody goes crazy so you feed off it. They’re like a sixth man.”
…Team chemistry:
“We’re a little group man. We’re so loose but we hold each other accountable and we’re serious when we need to be. I think we need that., You can’t be uptight all the time but you got to have that professionalism. Like I said before, Andrew Sullivan came in right away and showed us how to be a pro. He and Flinder showed guys like myself, Ayron and Brett how to be a pro. So when you combine that youth with the mind of those guys, things come together…it’s fun.”
…Coach Rob Paternostro:
“When you’re winning by 20, 30, 40 points and you still got Rob going crazy…we’re up 30 and he’s going crazy, that’s passion right there. You got to love that out of a coach. He’s never sitting down, he’s yelling at me because I turned the ball over late. He’s on my case – that’s great. He loves to win. He’s the biggest competitor in the group.”
