An unrelenting Leicester Riders defeated the Newcastle Eagles 105-74 to lift the SLB Play-Off crown at The O2, London on Sunday afternoon.

Leicester shot 51% from the field, outscoring Newcastle 52-32 in the second half to stamp their authority on the season’s showpiece game.

The Riders’ Play-Off success also made it four different SLB title winners in its inaugural season, highlighting a fierce competitiveness that has been displayed as the successful first season comes to a close.

Jaylin Hunter was majestic, amassing 23 points, going 5/6 from three-point land with four assists chucked in for good measure.

Zach Jackson matched Hunter’s points tally along with eight boards. Riley Abercrombie added 18.

Trey Pulliam led the Eagles with 22 points, but despite coming up short, the pride of Tyneside can hold their heads high following a solid campaign that saw them lift the SLB Trophy and reach the ENBL Final in Slovakia.

Both teams were off to the races in the first couple of possessions, but the Riders drew first blood as back-to-back scores from Hunter gave his side a 9-3 lead.

Leicester maintained the lead throughout the first quarter despite pressure from Newcastle. Hunter’s triple on the buzzer was the perfect way to end a solid first ten minutes.

The Eagles looked to attack, but the Riders had too much in the tank, quickly establishing a double-digit lead thanks to a Newcastle technical foul, which gave Jackson the chance to give the Riders a 51-41 lead in the latter stages of the second quarter, which he took advantage of.

Newcastle would put points on the board, but their defence allowed Leicester freedom of the land, and when the second half commenced, Rob Paternostro’s men moved up a gear to keep the Eagles grounded.

For Leicester, success at last, having not won a domestic title since 2022. And for Paternostro, an 18th domestic title as coach overall.