Heat struggle at the Lions’ den

Never have two teams needed a win like the Lions and the Heat did on Sunday! After an inconsistent start to the season MK Lions were looking for their first BBL Championship win, whilst the Guildford Heat desperately hoped for some movement off the bottom of the table.

The hard fought close encounter was physical throughout much of the game however it was the home side who roared to victory in the latter stages. Lions 98-82 Heat.

As in their game the night before against the Leicester Riders, the Heat were first to get any net time and pulled away to a 3-10 lead half way through the first quarter.  Great shooting from Tayo Ogedegebe continued to pull the visiting team away from the hosts, however it wasn’t long before Lions’ Stefan Gill introduced his trade mark ‘3 point field goal!’

Great link play between the Lions and a strong start from guard Nuno Pedroso, took the score to 12-15 with 1 minute to go in the opening period.  As Mike Martin walked off what seemed to be a slight injury early on, the Heat’s Julius Joseph took their lead to 12-18. Guildford looked confident and strong, however you sensed the Lions combination play would soon put an end to that. Northern and Bolds racked up the baskets and the first quarter ended with the visitors ahead, however only just 19-20.

The 2nd quarter saw a great display from the Lions as they snatched the lead and stretched it to an impressive 10 point game, just  4 minutes in to the 2nd period 34-24. Demarius Bolds and Stefan Gill were net happy from the 3 point range once again, and a Howard Crawford super dunk gave the MK crowd a real show at the close of the half. A packed out arena took a break at the half time buzzer, as the Lions held onto their lead, 53-42.

Bolds continued his run of points from the start of the 3rd quarter. It didn’t take him long to find the net with an immediate 2 points from a great assist and fast break from Gill. The Heat fought back with a Mike Martin 3 pointer and great individual play by Martelle McLeMore, however by now the Lions had well and truly found their stride!

Another 3 point field goal from Bolds took MK’s lead to 60-49 mid way through the 3rd period. The home crowd were in full voice as the Lions started to run away with the lead. This seemed to unnerve the Heat and their lack of complete, successful free throws proved that. As the game entered the closing stages of the 3rd the crowd were entertained by the immaculate passing of the home side, none more so than the dangerous combo of Bolds and Gill. The Lions were on fire and went into the final stanza up 74-61.

The Heat managed to crawl back some points at the beginning of the final quarter with a 3 pointer from Dean Williams and another 2 points from Mike Martin, yet it was too little too late as the Lions hit swish after swish and completed an 11-2 run. A ‘Big 3’ from Pedroso took him to 12 points, however it was a great steel, fast break and two consecutive free throws from Demarius Bolds that really stole the show. He finished with an awesome 37 personal points.

End score in Milton Keynes: Lions 98-82 Heat.

An encouraging performance all round from Mike New’s MK Lions, however it’s now back to the drawing board for Guildford. With a disappointing start to the BBL this season now 0-5, it’s about time they start to turn up the heat!