London Lions VS Newcastle Eagles in SLB League action at the Copper Box. 10/03/24

Riders keep chase, Lions stand strong and Sharks drop out, as two-horse title race heats up

Leicester won twice and Sheffield suffered crucial loss, as they attempted to compete with London, in a busy week of Championship action.

London Lions  77 – 69 Bristol (16/04/2025)

The league-leading Lions tipped off the week’s action, as they welcomed the Flyers to the Copper Box on Wednesday.

With league glory still in their sights, London got off to a slow start. Bristol smacked them in the mouth early, as Demond Robinson combined shots from inside and outside of the arc, catapulting the Flyers to a lead.

Hadzibegovic pushed back for London, but Bristol found bolstered offence in the form of Owen McCormack, who made multiple triples to keep the visitors ahead. However, London pushed back to regain the advantage, with Terrell Holloway hitting difficult lay-ups and Jaiden Delaire splashing from downtown.

At the close of the opening period, London led by four.

A scoreless couple of minutes unfolded as the second quarter began, until Keddy Johnson stepped up with Bristol bucket. However, London then went on a strong offensive run, led by Delaire and Tyler Peterson, who eventually created a double-digit advantage from deep.

Walshe plugged away for Bristol, but Holloway answered back with a couple of makes of his own. As the teams broke for half-time, the Lions led by 15.

Robinson got the Flyers off to a tremendous start, jamming it home to gain some momentum for the visitors. Lewis then drained a three and the they were back in it.

However, Aaryn Rai teamed up with Hadzibegovic to pile in the points for London, pulling them further ahead. Louis and McCormack hit back to shrink the deficit, but back came Delaire to bolster the Lions’ position.

Holloway drove aggressively to keep London ticking and when the penultimate quarter finished, the hosts found themselves on top by eight.

Holloway got the final quarter going with a difficult three, setting the tone for London to control the final instalment. Hadzibegovic made consecutive buckets shortly after, rebuilding the double-figure advantage.

Though Lewis and Johnson remained buoyant, offered pushback for the Flyers, they couldn’t do enough to find a route back into the contest. When the game came to an end, London moved a step closer to Championship gold with an eight-point win.

Most Valuable Player: Terrell Holloway played a major part in the Lions’ victory, recording 16 points, two rebounds and two dimes.

Leicester Riders 91 – 84 Surrey 89ers (17/04/2025)

Leicester Riders secured a hard-fought 91-84 win over Surrey 89ers in front of their home crowd on Sunday, in a game that saw both teams trade runs and showcase standout individual performances.

Zach Jackson led the way for the Riders with 21 points and 5 rebounds, closely supported by Spencer Johnson who added 20 points and 8 rebounds. Big man Charles Thompson dominated the glass, pulling down 12 boards to go with his 16 points, while Jaylin Hunter orchestrated the offence superbly with a game-high 12 assists.

Surrey stayed in contention throughout behind strong performances from Mervin James and Jalen Ray, who each tallied 18 points. Dame Adelekun also impressed with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, but it wasn’t enough to overturn Leicester’s balanced attack.

The Riders shot 50% from the field and dished out 26 assists as a team, capitalising on their fast-break opportunities with 18 points on the break. Surrey edged the battle in the paint 44-34 but struggled to match Leicester’s perimeter efficiency, with the Riders hitting 42% from three-point range.

The result keeps Leicester in strong form heading towards the postseason, while Surrey will look to bounce back in their next fixture.

Most Valuable Player: Zach Jackson (Leicester)

Newcastle Eagles 89 – 80 Manchester Basketball (17/04/2025)

Newcastle Eagles avenged last week’s heavy home defeat to Manchester with a composed 89-80 victory on on Thursday night at the Vertu Motors Arena.

Mike Okauru led the charge for the Eagles, delivering a team-high 20 points alongside 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He was well supported by Christian James (17 points) and De’sean Allen-Eikens (16 points) as Newcastle produced an efficient offensive display, shooting 47% from the field.

Josh Ward-Hibbert anchored the Eagles on the boards with 9 rebounds and 3 assists, while Trey Pulliam was the engine at point guard, handing out 7 assists to guide the home side’s attack.

Manchester, who had dismantled the Eagles just a week prior, couldn’t find the same rhythm despite 15 points from Makai Ashton-Langford and 14 from Marcus Delpeche. Zak Irvin added a solid double-double threat with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Newcastle dominated the points in the paint (44-40) and were sharper in transition, converting 12 fast-break points to Manchester’s 7. The home side also took care of the ball well, committing just 8 turnovers to their opponent’s 19, a key factor in securing the win.

Most Valuable Player: Mike Okauru (Newcastle)

Bristol Flyers 86 – 73 Caledonia Gladiators (18/04/2025)

Game Report Unavailable

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 60 – 77 London Lions (18/04/2025)

Game Report Unavailable

Surrey 89ers 87 – 95 Newcastle Eagles (19/04/2025)

With Surrey jostling for playoff position, they played host at the Surrey Sports Park on Saturday, as Newcastle arrived for their second match-up of a two-game week.

The hosts made the brighter start, opening scoring with a scoring run from Mervin James and Dame Adelekun, as they built up an early 89ers advantage.

Midway through the first, Newcastle responded through Trey Pulliam and De’sean Allen-Eikens, who scored in a variety of ways to tie the game. Josh Ward-Hibbert then earned Newcastle a lead, which they’d protect for the reminder of the first quarter.

Surrey came back swinging as the second period began, with James combining with Jalen Ray for a sequence of lay-ups that levelled the playing field yet again. Jordan Hunt then joined the party from the bench, adding a scoring punch to keep his team in the game.

Christian James earned multiple trips to the line near the end of the half and when the teams split for the break, Newcastle led by three.

James carried his momentum into the second half, scoring at the line to start another strong Newcastle run, which saw Pulliam and Long combine to open up a double-digit advantage for the visitors.

Surrey offered pushback throughout most of the quarter, attempting a comeback, but James then tightened his grip over the contest. The American scored on three consecutive offences, widening the gap in Newcastle’s favour. Heading into the final period, they led by 11.

The 89ers needed a response and they found one in Mervin James, who combined a fade-away with a lay-up to slim the margin. However, Newcastle answered back swiftly, with scoring runs from Pulliam and Allen-Eikens.

Newcastle enjoyed multiple successful trips to the charity stripe down the stretch and due to their sharpshooting, they finished the game with an eight-point W, denting Surrey’s playoff hopes along the way.

Most Valuable Player: Christian James came off the bench to headline a tremendous Newcastle performance, recording 25 points, 14 boards and three dishes.

Leicester Riders 94 – 90 Cheshire Phoenix (20/04/2025)

Leicester had a chance to close the gap on London and keep their title hopes alive on Sunday, as they welcomed playoff hopefuls Cheshire to the Mattioli Arena. The Riders hoped to continue the momentum of a win over Surrey just days prior.

The game for off to a highly competitive start, as they traded the lead seven times in the opening two minutes. Nick Timberlake and Larry Austin Jr led the way for Cheshire, while Leicester leaned on Zach Jackson and Riley Abercrombie to respond.

Skyler White offered additional scoring for the Phoenix and the visitors eventually edged ahead, building a lead throughout the majority of the opening period. When Leicester needed a solution, they found it from their bench; Ethan Wright and Duke Shelton finished impressively to keep Rob Paternostro’s men in striking distance.

The bench duo’s scoring run continued in the second period, scoring 15 of Leicester’s points in a row. Then Spencer Johnson entered the fray, hitting a triple and finishing at the line to put the hosts ahead yet again.

Tyreek Scott-Grayson eventually tied the ball game, before a scoring run from White opened up another Phoenix advantage. As the half came to an end, Timberlake jammed the ball to send the visitors to the locker room with a three-point lead.

Despite the efforts of Jackson and Charles Thompson, the second quarter got going with Cheshire adding to their advantage. Cameron Holden scored six consecutive points for Cheshire, maintaining control of the contest.

After a barren spell for both teams, Leicester enjoyed a crucial run. A Shelton dunk, Wright mid-ranger and Abercrombie three saw the hosts tie the game and squash Cheshire’s momentum, despite having led by 13.

Timberlake and Scott-Grayson scored lay-ups to snatch the lead back to finish the penultimate quarter but it was game on.

Shelton and Scott-Grayson went back and forth to open the final instalment, however Leicester were eventually able to earned a three-point lead through Hunter. Cheshire swiftly answered however, as Timberlake scored consecutive shots to propel his team ahead with five minutes remaining.

As they so often do, Leicester found a way back. Abercrombie let it fly from beyond the arc and Thompson converted ast the line, winning the Riders another lead. Showing veteran leadership, Jackson then scored on consecutive offences, growing a real advantage with less than a minute left.

A free-throw shoot-out unfolded for the remainder and when the buzzer sounded, Leicester had secured the four-point victory, setting up a blockbuster showdown with London on Wednesday.

Most Valuable Player: Leading Leicester’s incredible bench contribution, Duke Shelton scored 21 points, pulled down eight boards and offered two assists.

Manchester Basketball 92 – 97 Bristol Flyers (20/04/2025)

Bristol travelled to Manchester on Sunday to play their third game of the week, looking to secure a play-off spot.

The game got off to a competitive start, with Manchester earning short-term leads, before Bristol tied the content multiple times. However, the hosts eventually edged ahead through Makai Ashton-Langford, who finished contested lay-ups to earn the advantage.

Keddy Johnson then hit two consecutive buckets to keep Bristol in the clash, but Manchester found an answer through Marcus Delpeche, who came off the bench to keep his team in front with consecutive makes.

Bristol leant on their own bench to hit back and Owen McCormack scored from inside and out to reward their trust. However, Manchester’s second unit took control again and when Ian Dubose finished an ‘and-1’ play, the home team led by five.

Nathan Cayo got Manchester rolling in the second, building upon their advantage and carrying the momentum over. Johnson bit back for Bristol, making consecutive threes to pull the visitors closer. Minutes later, Kendall Lewis converted at the line to tie the game and laid it in to take a Bristol lead.

A run from Kyle Carey enjoyed a strong offensive sequence to retake a Manchester lead and despite bench contribution from Evan Walshe to tie, the hosts went into half-time with a two-point lead.

At the restart, it didn’t take long for Bristol to make their intentions known. Demond Robinson completed a crafty lay-up and Alain Louis earned the Flyers a lead. Keddy Johnson then opened their advantage, with a steady diet of scoring.

Ashton-Langford and Delpeche then put together a strong scoring run, propelling Manchester back on top. However, Bristol hit back with threes and hook-shots from Robinson, edging Bristol ahead yet again. At the end of the third, the visitors were on top by six.

Walshe and Robinson combined as the fourth quarter began, adding to the Bristol lead. Dubose and Cayo offered some resistance, then Ashton-Langford spearheaded a comeback attempt with dunks and lay-ups. Dramatically, Irvin hit a lay-up with less than a minute remaining and it was a one-point game.

Turnovers and open misses were a problem for Manchester in the clutch. They weren’t able to take advantage of an opportunity to win; McCormack and Walshe drained free-throws and when the buzzer sounded, Bristol secured the five-point W.

Most Valuable Player: Keddy Johnson logged 18 points, four boards and five assists to inspire his team to victory.

Caledonia Gladiators 86 – 89 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (20/04/2025)

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks edged out Caledonia Gladiators in a thrilling contest on Sunday evening, taking an 89-86 victory on the road.

Rickey McGill was the standout performer for the visitors, finishing with a game-high 22 points and 9 assists, while Jacob Groves added valuable support with 18 points and a game-leading 7 rebounds.

The Gladiators were paced by Deveral Ramsey, who poured in 20 points, with Trevond Barnes and Patrick Whelan contributing 14 and 13 points respectively. Whelan also dished out 6 assists to lead the home side in playmaking.

Both teams shot efficiently from the field, with Sheffield converting at 58% and Caledonia close behind at 55%. The Sharks dominated inside, outscoring the hosts 44-30 in the paint, while the Gladiators impressed from the free throw line, knocking down 94% of their attempts.

Despite a late push from the Gladiators, Sheffield held on down the stretch to claim an important win in the playoff race.

Most Valuable Player: Rickey McGill (Sheffield)

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