Riders get contributions from all quarters en route to 88-71 victory

I searched through the Oxford English Dictionary prior to writing the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders – Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions game report as I needed to arm myself with enough superlatives to properly compliment the Riders on their 88-71 win.

It’s telling that the dictionary ran out of words before I ran out of praise.

It was an utterly comprehensive performance from Paternostro’s men as they flipped the switch midway through the first quarter to distance themselves from the visiting Lions, before putting clear daylight between them when they led by 18 midway through the second. That lead was cut into thanks to a balanced Lions offense but in the end, the Riders had too many weapons, closing the door on the visitors hope of a comeback with a 12-5 run to end the third quarter and up 70-55.

The final quarter was a formality for the Riders as they increased the lead to 25 before settling on a 17 point margin of victory.

That’s about all the recap you need from this game, apart from me telling you that Demarius Bolds was kept out of rhythm by the defensive switches Paternostro made which resulted in Bolds going 5 of 12 from the field for only 17 points. Dobbins recorded 21 points and Josey and Pedroso combined for 24.

Oh and the loss was the Lions ninth in ten games. That run of form has enabled the 9th placed Mersey Tigers to gain ground in the hunt for play-off places with both sides level on 16 points but with the Tigers having played two more games. The Tigers also only have four games left, compared to the Lions six, including a 15th April clash between the two.

This report however, has been reserved for the entire Leicester Riders team. Here are the reasons why:

• Ayron Hardy had 20/12/8 and seven (steals) and when asked about whether he knew he was close to a quadruple double and even closer to a triple double, said he didn’t know until after the game.
• Andrew Sullivan finished with 15 and 9. But the number that doesn’t show up in the box score is four – for the number of high basketball IQ plays he made: tapping the ball into players to get a sideline possession, diving on the floor and directing the ball to an open team-mate etc. These are the things he does for the team. If you doubt his worth, you don’t know basketball.
• Yorick Williams came through a difficult week leading up to the game against his former team but stepped on the floor and hit the open shots. He did everything you need from your veteran swingman.
• Jamell Anderson – the box score will show that he has six points and three boards but his energy in the paint created more open looks for team-mates than numbers say.
• Bradd Wierzbicki – 27 points including 8/8 from the line in only 31 minutes. Oh and he found time to ably ran the club with Cameron Rundles on the bench.
• And talking of Rundles, his infectious enthusiasm was on display for all to see on Saturday with every member of the Leicester Riders enjoying their basketball.

If you haven’t seen them this season, I implore you to pick up a schedule, see where they are playing and go and watch them. Teams like this one don’t come around often and to see them is a privilege.

I know this game report comes across as a ‘gush-fest’ for the Leicester Riders but when you see a team play any sport the way the Riders did – with unity, freedom and smiles on their faces – it’s hard not to act like a child about it. I just wish you all could have seen it.