Defeat to London in landmark game

Sunday 24th December 2023

British Basketball League Regular Season

London Lions 83 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 64

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks slipped to defeat on Christmas Eve against a loaded London Lions team. A 22-12 opening quarter set the tone as the league leaders chalked up another one in the win column ahead of a big European outing in Paris on Boxing Day. Prentiss Nixon led the Sharks with 15 points but unfortunately the club’s 1000th regular season outing wasn’t a memorable one given the magnitude of the opposition.

Starting Fives

Lions: Olaseni, Taylor, Dekker, M Morgan, C Morgan

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

Key Moments

The Sharks were again without Jubril Adekoya and RJ Eytle-Rock but opened the game with a spectacular Jalon Pipkins one-handed dunk. London went on to dominate however in a 13-0 run. Prentiss Nixon found success from downtown but it was the Lions who held a 22-12 lead after 10 minutes.

London went on to rack up a 17 point lead when Josh Sharma made it 38-21 despite 5 more points from Nixon. Devearl Ramsey added 5 of his own but a 42-27 half time scoreline left the Sharks a mountain to climb.

The Sharks did at least hold London in the third period by 20-20. Triples from Lions duo Connor and Matt Morgan were matched by Jordan Ratinho and Devearl Ramsey and Ratinho made the and-one play that kept the Sharks within 15. London’s Luke Nelson brought the quarter to an end with the score at 62-47.

The Lions Gabe Olaseni hit the five foul mark midway through the fourth period but it was probably welcome relief given their schedule to come. The Sharks introduced Nate Montgomery late into the piece and his back-to-back three point shots at least provided a positive note to the encounter. A Marcus Delpeche bucket ended the game with London on the high side by 83-64.

MVP

A tough afternoon for the short-handed Sharks against an unexpectedly loaded London roster brought a few bright moments. Kipper Nichols flirted with a double-double for his 6 point, 9 rebound afternoon and Jordan Ratinho was his usual high energy self to end with 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal. The Sharks greatest offensive threat was Prentiss Nixon, who hit four triples on his way to 15 points with 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals as the visitors MVP.

Next game

Leicester Riders v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Saturday December 30th 2023, Morningside Arena, 5.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates