Afternoon to forget for the Sharks in Leicester

Saturday 30th December 2023

British Basketball League Regular Season

Leicester Riders 103 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 75

It was an afternoon to forget for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks as they went down to a 28 point loss in Leicester. A 21-2 opening to the game put Leicester firmly in command as the Sharks walking wounded hung around until the fourth quarter before the Riders accelerated away. Assistant Marko Backovic picked up the coaching reins following the third quarter disqualification of Atiba Lyons as the team moved to 10-10 ahead of a big game against Manchester Giants on New Years Eve.

Starting Fives

Riders: Mackenzie, Thomas, Allen, Walker, Holmes.

Sharks: Ramsey, Pipkins, Ratinho, Nichols, Koch.

Key Moments

The game couldn’t have begun in worse fashion for the Sharks. Miryne Thomas’ putback dunk opened matters and by the time he’d made his mark from the line, the Sharks were down by 21-2. Coach Atiba Lyons collected a technical foul in amongst the Leicester run as his side did at least rally to the quarter end. Buckets from Prentiss Nixon and Rodney Glasgow Jr preceded a Glasgow triple as the period ended at 28-16.

The Riders lead went out to 19 early in the second quarter as the Sharks called for time following a Kimbal Mackenzie mid-ranger. The Sharks managed to hang around. Bennett Koch, who himself ended the game with a strapped knee, made a couple of hook shots as Leicester took a timeout at 46-31. New Leicester starlet Teddy Allen and Prentiss Nixon traded deep threes but it was the hosts who were in charge by 54-40 at half time.

The game took a new twist less than two minutes into the second half as a second technical on Coach Lyons saw him leave the game. With Assistant Marko Backovic taking over, the Sharks did go on to take the third by 17-19. A third technical, this time on Nixon, could have impacted the Sharks even further but a Jordan Ratinho trey and six points from Glasgow Jr saw the visitors still just about in touch at 71-59.

The Sharks, who were also without Jalon Pipkins for a lengthy spell, ran out of steam in the fourth quarter. Threes from Glasgow Jr and Nixon made it 83-71 but 11 points from Miryne Thomas took the game away from the South Yorkshire men. Leicester’s Allen went on to finish with 25 points and Thomas with a 22 point, 10 rebound double-double as the game closed at 103-75.

MVP

Marcus Delpeche’s return to fitness continued as he finished with 6 points, 9 rebounds and an assist. The Sharks greatest offensive threat came from co-skipper Rodney Glasgow Jr and Prentiss Nixon. Glasgow made 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting to go with 2 rebounds and 3 assists but was just shaded by Nixon. His 17 point outing included 3 of 4 successful three point attempts as well as 6 rebounds and a steal as the Sharks move on to their final game before the British Basketball League Trophy campaign.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Manchester Giants, Sunday December 31st 2023, Canon Medical Arena, 3.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates