Tough night for Sharks in London

Friday 1st November 2024

Super League Basketball Championship

London Lions 92 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 68

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks endured a tough start to their Super League Basketball Championship campaign with defeat at London Lions' Copperbox Arena. A 17-0 run in the final quarter sealed victory for the men from the capital against a Sharks side unable to play at it's maximum capacity. London were led by Aaryn Rai (14), Michael Brisker (14) and Alen Hadzibegovic (15) with Rodney Chatman providing the bulk of the Sharks scoring with 17 points. Sharks' new signing Donovan Clay was unable to suit up against the Lions but hopefully will get the opportunity in their next game, at home to Bristol Flyers on Sunday afternoon.

Starting Fives

Lions: Taylor, Brisker, Adebayo, Rai, Hadzibegovic.

Sharks: Jeffries, Anderson, Ratinho, Chatman, Ochereobia.

Key Moments

The Sharks took a five point lead by the end of the opening quarter. Drake Jeffries corner trey gave them an early 2-3 lead before trades in baskets saw them tied at 15-15 on Jaiden Delaire's bucket. A Jamell Anderson triple inside the final 30 seconds restored the visitors lead and a pair of Prentiss Nixon free throws concluded the first 10 minutes at 18-23.

Things remained fairly tight at the start of the second period. Rodney Glasgow Jr scored high off the glass but saw London's Ovie Soko level once more at 27-27. The Lions began to edge into the lead, Alen Hadzibegovic opening up a ten point gap at 40-30 with just under four minutes to the interval. Aaryn Rai maintained that distance with a three at 46-36 as a Rodney Chatman free throw closed the half at 46-37.

The Lions also outscored the Sharks in the third stanza, this time by 21-16. A Jordan Taylor trey and an Ade Adebayo dunk took the score out to 55-44 before a pull-up three from EC Matthews gave notice that the Sharks were still in the contest. Three's from Rai and Taylor re-asserted London's position and they took a 14 point lead into the final period with the score at 67-53.

Chatman continued his fine scoring form with two makes from distance bookending a pair of free throws to narrow gap to 12 at 75-63. A 17-0 run from the Lions signalled the end of the contest however. Taylor's three point jump shot set London on their way to an opening win as they broke free - Ciaran Sandy's drive all but ending the contest at 92-63. A Prentiss Nixon trey concluded the scoring for the evening at 92-68 but the jaded Sharks returned home from the capital empty handed.

MVP

Four Sharks contributed double figure outings on the night. Prentiss Nixon (11) and Drake Jeffries (14) both provided bright moments for the South Yorkshire men and the 12 point, 6 rebound, 2 assist, 1 steal outing of EC Matthews was eye-catching for his index of 14. Leading the scoring for the Sharks however was Rodney Chatman. His 17 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and 1 steal came on 5 of 9 shooting but was unable to influence the result in his side's favour on this occasion.

Next Game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Bristol Flyers, Sunday 3rd November 2024, Super League Basketball Championship, Canon Medical Arena, 4.00pm Tip Off.

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Adam Bates