BBL Trophy Group 3: MK Lions 107-90 Leicester Riders

So, we expected Part 2 of ‘Clash of the Titans’ and that’s what we got at the MK Lions Arena Friday night.

The second meeting  between the teams in 6 days required MK Lions to win by at least 8pts for their BBL Trophy dream to stay alive.

A storming first quarter from MK Lions Prestige Holmes was the difference as they beat Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders in a roaring fashion. MK Lions 107 (27,57,75) Leicester Riders 90 (12,40,59).

Unlike the first game, Vince Macaulay let the basketball do the talking this week, with a little help from star man Stefan Gill. The former EBL Division One MVP, had a point to prove after last week’s war of words about back court players and boy.. did he prove it! Gill’s link up play with Demarius Bolds was impeccable throughout.

The Lions started strong, both feet on the gas from the tip-off. It must have been those ‘Personal Challenges’ Coach Mike New spoke to me about after the game. Whatever it was, it worked! Excellent shooting from the Lions gave them a 27-12 lead at the end of the 1st QTR.

The second period started with Lions breaking away once again with 2 from Nuno Pedroso as Riders looked visually frustrated and struggled to get any net time.

Cameron Rundles and Ayron Hardy battled hard and managed to pull Riders back into the points 35-19 with 6 mins still left to play until the break. A great 3pts from Bradd Wierzbicki gave the visitors hope, and great play from Hardy brought them back to 45-36 only to be cancelled out by Stefan Gill once again.

Lions put together a 12-4 run to lead 57-40 at half time.

The home side were by far the more comfortable in the first half, with strong plays from Demarius Bolds, Daniel Northern and Stefan Gill. Cameron Rundles and Ayron Hardy the best for the visitors with Frank Holmes having a somewhat inconsistent half.

Adrien Sturt for 2 put more points on the board for MK at the start of the 3rd QTR, however another 3 from Wierzbicki pulled Riders back to 59-43. A rare stamp of the foot from the usually cool and calm Mike New, was an indication of the tension. The Riders however frustrated they seemed, were not letting this go that easily.

‘It’s Getting Hot in Here..’ from an animated Vince Macaulay over the mic echoed what we all thought as 2 from 3 for Rundles began to turn up the heat.

Great defense play from Daniel Northern, meant the ‘Riders Run’ was cut short, and Lions regained control of the game. Northern’s link play with Bolds to Gill meant nothing but net again, he was on fire!

Riders were then beaten by the shot clock, to the delight of the home crowd as we neared the end of the 3rd QTR. Howard Crawford for 2 saw an immediate response from Flinder Boyd for 3. The end of the 3rd period illustrated great hustle from both sides, 75-59.

So, Lions led 75-59 heading into the fourth and moved out to a 20 point lead, waymore than the 8 they required going into the game. However a few silly mistakes from the home side enabled some unforced turnovers, and it appeared fatigue had started to set in. Riders came back momentarily, as Rundles went all the way for an easy lay-up 83-67.

The aggressive play continued throughout the final period, more so for Riders 6’9 Forward Frank Holmes as he left the court to ‘Hit The Road Jack’ on 5 personal fouls. With the tension sky high, the atmosphere was electric as the home crowd got behind their side for the final stages of the game.

Wierzbicki sunk 2 for Riders, however it was Nathan Schall’s dunk at 100-77 that got the crowd on their feet! The Lions continued battling right to the wire, ending the game on an impressive 107-90.

A strong, aggressive yet all-round settled performance from the MK Lions was the perfect response to last weeks game at Leicester. Mike New asked his players to take the air out of the game early, and that they did, now its time to be consistent with that response.

Lions:

Stefan Gill: (26, 3)
Demarius Bolds: (20,7)
Daniel Northern: (17,19)

Riders:

Wierzbicki (25)
Rundles (22)
Hardy (21)

Next game: London Leopards at Home: 16/10/2011 5pm tip-off.