Leicester Riders are a step closer to the BBL Cup Final following their Semi-Final first Leg victory at London Lions.
The Riders won 77-65 at the Copper Box, giving them a valuable 12-point aggregate lead ahead of their home leg this coming Saturday.
Riders’ Drew Sullivan enjoyed a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds on his return to his former club, while TrayVonn Wright led the way with an impressive 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
In the Championship, the Riders bounced back from last week’s defeat to Sheffield to record an 86-79 victory over Cheshire Phoenix, ending their four-game winning streak.
Sullivan had another double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, while Tyler Bernardini led the Riders with 17 points.
Plymouth University Raiders then made it a forgettable weekend for the Phoenix, as the Raiders won 86-80 in Ellesmere Port on Sunday, for their second straight road win.
Raiders’ player-coach Daryl Corletto led his side with 18 points as they moved up to tenth place in the standings.
Worcester Wolves brought their worst streak of the season to an end as they enjoyed back-to-back victories over Leeds Force and Bristol Flyers.
The Wolves had lost four of their last five games but rebounded to beat Leeds 76-66, behind a game-high 20 points from Ashton Khan. The following evening it was Josh Cameron’s time to shine as he led the Wolves with 19 points in an 83-70 defeat of Bristol.
“It was good for morale,” said Wolves’ Ben Eaves.
“We needed to get both wins this weekend and I think we did that mainly at the defensive end which is great for us as we gave up way too many points last weekend.”
He added. “Now we have to look forward and continue to build.”
League-leading Esh Group Eagles Newcastle took their unbeaten run in the Championship to thirteen games on Sunday, but were pushed all the way by the Glasgow Rocks, before eventually triumphing 80-72.
Rahmon Fletcher had 19 points for the Eagles who were able to close out the win after finishing the game on an 11-3 run after the teams were tied, 69-69.
“They gave us a great challenge, even last time we met them in the Cup,” Eagles’ Joe Chapman said of the Rocks.
“They play great defence as a team and we knew we had to come prepared for them.
He continued, “We’re taking things game by game and not focusing ahead. We still want to get better.
“We’ve not peaked yet and that’s going to come if we get challenged by good teams.”
It was the second win in 48 hours for the Eagles, who triumphed 108-85 over Manchester Giants on Friday, behind 26 points and 11 rebounds from Darius Defoe.
The weekend wasn’t a complete loss for Glasgow Rocks after they enjoyed a great 92-86 victory at Sheffield Sharks, also on Friday.
Rocks’ Warren Gillis had 27 points to lead all scorers as the Rocks erased a five-point deficit in the final thirty seconds of regulation, before going on to win in overtime.
Finally, London Lions moved into the top four following their comfortable 95-61 victory at Surrey Scorchers, Nick Lewis and Jamal Williams leading the visitors with 19 points apiece.
