Raiders hold off late Lions surge to win 108-98

by UK American Sports Fans

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UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders 108 – 98 London Lions

BBL Championship

Sunday 18th November

Starting Fives:

Raiders: Bell, Ojo, Barnett, Schneck, O’Reilly

Lions: Ogedengbe, Jackman, Martin, Sturt, Lawson

 

If you are a gambling man and you are reading this: DON’T EVER BET ON THE PLYMOUTH RAIDERS.

The UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders did their best to break the bookies and throw away a 21 point fourth quarter lead as the visiting London Lions made a late comeback. But in the end, the home side closed out the game, winning 108-98.

The Plymouth Raiders looked comfortable throughout the heading into the half up 60-44 thanks to a strong second quarter showing by the home side and a turnover-strewn one by the visiting Lions (eight in the quarter, 16 in the game). And as the third quarter came to a close with Coach Love’s Raiders up by 17, the Plymouth Pavilions must have thought their team had recorded their sixth win of the season already.

But credit Vince Macaulay’s Lions as they refused to throw in the towel, reacting to the 21 point mountain in front of them by connecting of six of their next seven field goal attempts whilst forcing the Raiders into four turnovers (20 in the game) and three straight misses.

The near-heroic comeback by the Lions was ended with under a minute to go though, as Jeremy Bell scored six of his side’s last seven points to ease the Raiders home to a 108-98 victory.

With the win, the Plymouth Raiders move onto 12 points, eight behind the league leading Leicester Riders, while the London Lions stay in seventh place with a 4-7 record.

Jeremy Bell (17), despite seeing his side over the finish line, was only his team’s fourth top scorer behind O’Reilly (29), Barnett (24) and Ojo (21).

The London Lions Orlan Jackman was top scorer in the game with 29 points but turned the ball over seven times, three during the 2nd period.

Game MVP:

Colin O’Reilly

Next up:

UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders vs Newcastle Eagles, BBL Cup, Plymouth Pavilions, Sunday 25th November, 4:00pm

London Lions vs Worcester Wolves, BBL Championship, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Friday 23rd November, 7:30pm