London Lions continued their dream start to the campaign on Wednesday night at the Copper Box.
BBL Championship
London Lions 91 (18,46,72) (Owumi 23, Hassan 22, Taylor 15, Ikhinmwin 15)
Leeds Force 65 (16,31,45) (Isenbarger 22, Marsden 11, Sandoval 10)
London Lions maintained their perfect BBL Championship record after registering a fifth win of the new campaign with a 91-65 victory against Leeds Force.
Head coach Nigel Lloyd watched on with satisfaction as his players shrugged off a sluggish opening, to eventually put their foot on the accelerator and ease away from their opponents.
Leeds had looked like they were eyeing the upset during the initial exchanges thanks to 10 points from Jack Isenbarger, who never missed during the opening period and he almost single-handedly ensured Force only trailed 18-16.
But Lions shifted up a gear in the second quarter and were well on top when the teams hit the locker rooms at the half, having increased their advantage to 15 points. That came mainly off the back of Alex Owumi’s efforts, since he had 19 points in the opening 20 minutes.
It was more of the same when the action resumed, with forward Rashad Hassan still perfect from the floor and on 14 points at the end of the third period, with Lions coasting at 72-45.
The hosts then had little difficult in easing to a one-sided win, to leave fans at the Copper Box loving their winning start to the season.
Owumi and Hassan combined for a brilliant 17 of 24 from the field for a combined 45 points.
|
P
|
PL | W | L | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester Riders | 8 | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| 2 | Esh Group Eagles Newcastle | 7 | 6 | 1 | 12 |
| 3 | London Lions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| 4 | Glasgow Rocks | 6 | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | Plymouth Raiders | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 6 | DBL Sharks Sheffield | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | Cheshire Phoenix | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | Worcester Wolves | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 9 | Surrey Scorchers | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
| 10 | Bristol Flyers | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 11 | Leeds Force | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 12 | Manchester Giants | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |