Sharks dig deep to take narrow Leicester victory

Sunday 16th March 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 77 Leicester Riders 76

It was by the narrowest of margins but the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks capped their fourth game in eight days with a 77-76 win over title rivals Leicester Riders. Clutch work down the stretch by Donovan Clay and Prentiss Nixon inched the Sharks in front before Leicester’s Riley Abercrombie missed the second free throw that would have sent the game into overtime. The Sharks are now cemented in second place in the table as the schedule eases somewhat with the next game taking place in Bristol on Friday. Clay’s double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds took him to MVP glory but the whole roster dug deep to keep their Championship aims on track.

Starting Fives

Sharks: McGill, Nixon, Clay, Ratinho, Anderson.

Riders: Abercrombie, Hunter, Johnson, Jackson, Thompson.

Key Moments

The Sharks pulled away late in the first quarter to claim a six point lead. Jaylin Hunter’s turnaround jump shot gave Leicester a 4-6 lead but a Prentiss Nixon trey and a successful Donovan Clay and-one play put the hosts back up by 12-10. A pair of Mike Ochereobia hook shots increased the difference to 20-14 and an Ethan Wright three was immediately negated by Jacob Groves’ reply from the corner. Duke Shelton ended the quarter but the Sharks fought hard for their 25-19 lead.

The Riders fought back. Wright’s dagger three sent the Sharks into a timeout at 27-24 but seven points from Rickey McGill kept Leicester at arms length with the score at 36-31. Wright and Riley Abercrombie hit big shots from distance as the Riders drew ever nearer and they took the lead on a long two from Zach Jackson. A Donovan Clay basket ensured that the Sharks headed into the locker rooms up by 42-41 at the interval.

As you might expect of a second versus third clash, it was Leicester who demonstrated that they were not just there to make up the numbers. Back to back Rickey McGill treys made it 52-49 but nine unanswered points sent the Riders into a 52-58 advantage. Ochereobia and James Reese V found the hoop to close the period but it was the visitors who held a 56-60 lead going into the final ten minutes.

A James Reese alleyoop finish on Rodney Glasgow’s assist was a highlight of the opening moments of the fourth stanza as six Donovan Clay points brought the gap down to two at 66-68. The Sharks dialled up the intensity on defence which allowed Nixon to get out and drain a three from the wing and their defensive intensity forced the Riders into a shot clock violation shortly after. The scores were finally levelled at 75-75 as Clay produced an outstanding spin and dunk manoevre and with Nixon scoring high off the glass, they went ahead by 77-75. Under a second remained when Leicester’s Riley Abercrombie was sent to the line. He made his first free throw but rimmed out on the second as the visibly exhausted Sharks celebrated a memorable 77-76 victory.

MVP

Jacob Groves went five of eight from the field for his second 11 point haul of the weekend. Rickey McGill turned provider with 7 assists to go with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals and Prentiss Nixon led all scorers with 20 having gone a perfect 8 of 8 from the line. The MVP of the game put his team on his shoulders to ensure that the Sharks put another notch in the win column. Donovan Clay shot at 72% inside for his 17 points as well as ripping down 10 boards and making a blocked shot to see the Sharks to a one point win and an outright hold on second place in the table.

Next Game

Bristol Flyers v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 21st March 2025, SGS College Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 7.30pm tip off

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Josh Rackham