In what was a mixed weekend for various clubs, the London Lions flexed their muscles, pulling further clear at the top of the Championship table.
Amongst the mixed results, it was a bad weekend for the Newcastle Eagles and B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, who suffered two defeats.
Newcastle Eagles 83-85 Bristol Flyers (AOT)
Bristol Flyers edged the Newcastle Eagles 85-83 on Friday night on Tyneside in a thrilling battle that required an extra five minutes.
Ray’Sean Taylor drilled a three-pointer near the end of regulation to get the Eagles out of jail and force overtime, when it looked like the Flyers were going to hang on, but Newcastle was unable to build that momentum in the extra quarter.
A basket inside from Joe Anderson handed Bristol an 82-78 lead with less than two minutes to play that ultimately secured the win despite a furious last-ditch attempt from Newcastle.
Anderson would finish with 19 points for the Flyers, helped by a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double from Cam Holden. Taylor led all scorers with 21, and he also dished out eight assists for the Eagles.
Bristol Flyers 79-84 Leicester Riders
Leicester Riders were quick to wipe the winning slate of the Bristol Flyers, with Raequan Battle starring in the 84-79 win on Sunday.
In a cagey encounter, where both teams enjoyed their share of the lead, the Riders ended up having the upper hand, as Battle led the way with 25 points on 50% shooting. He also had four rebounds.
Joe Anderson splashed five three-pointers as he led the Flyers again with 23 points, but it was a harsh reality check for Bristol against a very well-organised Leicester side.
Manchester Basketball 102-98 Newcastle Eagles
Manchester Basketball inflicted a heartbreaking second loss of the weekend on the Newcastle Eagles on Sunday afternoon, as they came away with a 102-98 victory at the NBPC.
Jordan Johnson paced Manchester with 20 points, including a flawless 8/8 from the foul line, as his side shot 52% from the field in a solid offensive display.
Gus Okafor led the Eagles with 18 points in a game that Newcastle certainly didn’t deserve to come away empty-handed, having shot 50% themselves from the field and competing well, despite only leading for brief periods.
Surrey 89ers 88-77 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
A blistering start and a strong finish propelled the Surrey 89ers to an 88-77 success over the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks at Surrey Sports Park.
A 29-19 first and fourth quarter from Surrey proved to be the difference maker in an exciting game that provided a plethora of highlights.
Kino Lilly Jr. led the Niners with 18 points, supported by 16 from Tyrin Lawrence. Mervin James led the Sharks with 20 points against his former club.
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 83-92 London Lions
London Lions continued their stranglehold on top spot in the Championship by handing B. Braun Sheffield Sharks their second loss this weekend.
Deane Williams had 19 points, Tarik Phillip added 17, and the Lions beat the Sharks 92-83 at the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday.
For the second time over the weekend, Mervin James paced Sheffield with a game-high 20 points.
Cheshire Phoenix 100-90 Surrey 89ers
Surrey 89ers’ four-game winning run met its end in Ellesmere Port as the Cheshire Phoenix put them to the sword with a 100-90 win.
Patrick Robinson led the Phoenix with 23 points, spearheading five Cheshire players in double figures, as they drilled 11 triples in the victory.
Tyrin Larence and Kino Lilly Jr both had 22 for Surrey.