Friday 16th February 2024
British Basketball League Regular Season
Leicester Riders 108 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 94
The two sides went at it like a pair of prizefighters but unfortunately the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks went down by 14 points on the road at in-form Leicester Riders. The Sharks fully played their part in a thrilling contest but a hot third quarter from Riders talisman Teddy Allen, who finished with a 35 point, 12 rebound double-double, gave the hosts a slight edge that took them to the win. Six Sharks made double figure scoring on a good night offensively; something that Atiba Lyons men will look to build on in their next game on February 29th against Plymouth.
Starting Fives
Riders: Mackenzie, Allen, Walker, Idowu, Holmes.
Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.
Key Moments
The Sharks carried the fast pace of their last game against London into this latest encounter. A Malek Green putback and-one play opened up a 3-10 lead and that was maintained by recent GB call-up RJ Eytle-Rock with a triple at 6-13. The Sharks were relentless as a Green three took the gap out to ten at 12-22 but the Leicester comeback started when their Captain Kimbal Mackenzie replied in kind. A pair of Jaren Holmes free throws ended a breakneck first quarter at 27-30.
The Sharks took the next streak. Green got the friendly roll on another three pointer and a Rodney Glasgow mid-ranger opened up a ten point gap at 34-44. A rare Mo Walker triple kept Leicester in touch but a three in transition from Glasgow maintained the Sharks lead. Jaren Holmes banked in a trey on the buzzer followed by the additional point as the Riders went to 53 points, four behind the Sharks biggest half time score of the season of 57.
A 29-14 third quarter inspired by 15 points from the high-scoring Teddy Allen edged Leicester into an eleven point lead. He euro-stepped to the hoop for the opening basket before connecting three times from beyond the arc and four times from the free throw line. In-between times, Eytle-Rock and Glasgow Jr also hit big shots but with the Riders crashing the boards to the tune of 14 to 8, it was the hosts who took an 82-71 lead into the final stanza.
The Sharks called for an early timeout at 87-76 on a ludicrously long Allen triple but remained strong in a 0-10 run that ended on a Malek Green basket. Bennett Koch’s putback restored a Sharks lead at 88-90 but a Mackenzie corner trey began the run that saw Leicester take the game. Devearl Ramsey fouled out inside the final forty seconds and the Riders win was sealed at 108-94 with Allen’s successful and-one play.
MVP
The Sharks out-rebounded their hosts by 21-15 in the first half but saw the tables turned by 28-15 in the second. That did not detract from an excellent performance offensively however. Six Sharks poured in double-figure scores starting with Rodney Glasgow (10), Jalon Pipkins (11) and Devearl Ramsey (12). Bennett Koch went to a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double that also included 2 crucial blocks and there was also a fine night for GB squad member RJ Eytle-Rock. He made five of his nine shots to end with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists. It was a 22 index that saw Malek Green stand out however. He too claimed a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds with 3 assists to boot but despite the tremendous part the Sharks played, they could not break the resolve of the in-form Riders.
Next game
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Plymouth City Patriots, Thursday February 29th 2024, Canon Medical Arena, 7.45pm Tip Off.
Image
Adam Bates
