Sky-high Riders take advantage in BBL Cup
Leicester Riders remain favourites to join the Newcastle Eagles in the BBL Cup Final by taking a twenty point advantage into the second leg after a 90-70 road win over the Sheffield Sharks.
Starting Fives:
Sharks: Jemison, Tuck, Bridge, Babalola, Williams.
Riders: Rowe, Taylor, Couisnard, Losonsky, Calvo.
The Riders could have left the tie dead and buried having led by as many as 34 points at one stage but a late fourth quarter fightback just about gave the Sharks the slenderest of hopes of overturning the deficit.
Sharks fans had to wait nearly four minutes to see new Point Guard BJ Holmes enter the fray, having landed in the UK on Thursday and taken part in just one practice prior to the fixture. He immediately gave Micah Williams an open look on a three as both sides traded baskets. Riders’ newcomer Anthony Rowe produced one of his trademark jumpers to edge his side in front but it took treys from Zaire Taylor and Yorick Williams to give Leicester a slight advantage, 13-18 at the quarter end.
An Andrew Bridge maximum and a long two from Demetrius Jemison brought the Sharks level at 20 but Rowe and GB stalwart Drew Sullivan used all their nouse to extend Leicester’s lead to ten. Sheffield’s Mike Tuck put up a captain’s performance in an attempt to keep his side in the game but a further three from Yorick Williams allied with three from the line by Zaire Taylor at the end of the half saw Leicester in the ascendancy with the scores at 48-32.
Leicester’s dominance shone through in the third period. The impressive Jay Couisnard opened proceedings with a three and the Riders never looked back throughout the whole ten minutes. Exemplary defence saw the Sharks held back at the perimeter and when it came to finishing, the veterans Williams and Sullivan as well as rising star Taylor all contributed three pointers that saw the Riders take a thirty point lead by the end of the quarter.
That lead went out to 34 points early in the fourth, sparking a vital timeout by Sheffield Coach Atiba Lyons. Mindful that this was only the first half of the tie, the Sharks rallied somewhat. Olu Babalola came to the party with two triples and the lively Holmes capped a fine debut with a maximum of his own. Eight late points from a struggling Micah Williams saw the Sharks take the quarter by 27-17, much to the annoyance of animated Leicester Coach Rob Paternostro, who had coaxed a dominant display from his side until that point. However, a closing score of 90-70 in the Riders favour still puts them in the box seat and it will take a display of herculean proportions to propel the Sharks into the final in Birmingham.
Atiba Lyons remained philosophical following his side’s defeat: “Some things were better, some things were worse. Micah Williams was hurt and carrying an injury so in effect we were playing with a man down.”
Referring to his latest recruit, Atiba carried on to say: “BJ just got off the plane and has only had one practice. However, the chemistry seems to be there.”
Sharks skipper Mike Tuck paid tribute to their opponents, and also the newest member alongside him on the roster: “It was a tough game and I don’t think there is a better team in the league. It was a tough contest. Our new Point Guard only arrived here yesterday and it was a great effort considering he only just got off the plane. He had a crash course on our plays and moving forward, I think he’ll be a great asset.”
Sky Sports summariser for the night, Worcester Wolves Coach Paul James, was full of praise for Rob Paternostro’s Riders: “Leicester are the toughest team in the league right now. They run deep and are extremely athletic.”
When asked about his selections for the England team to take on the Irish Superleague in the pre-cursor to the BBL Cup Final, Coach James commented: “Obviously if Leicester get to the final, I can’t select their players. However, tonight has shown how good the English talent in the BBL clearly is.”
Play of the Game: Honourable mentions for a night of fine distance shooting but the two flushed by the improving Demetrius Jemison on a low pass from the wily Mike Tuck brought an appreciative reaction from the EIS faithful.
Game MVP: Jay Couisnard
Next Up:
One Health Sharks Sheffield at Durham Wildcats, Sunday 2nd December, 4pm, Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders at Glasgow Rocks, Sunday 2nd December, 5pm, Emirates Arena.
