Basketball: Leicester Riders gain revenge for Trophy defeat
Leicester Riders got instant revenge against Sheffield Sharks for the disappointment of losing the BBL Trophy Final at the weekend.
The Jelson Homes DMU-backed Riders dominated from tip-off to buzzer in this BBL Championship game in Yorkshire.
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Riders cemented their place at the top of the Championship with a stunning 85-63 success, which enhanced their title prospects.
There was an air of predictability when both teams took the floor, the Sharks players trying to focus in the wake of their marvellous silverware-winning performance and the Riders players determined to make a point.
And, it panned out as most observers anticipated, as the extra urgency and determination to make amends, fuelled the Riders from the first second until the last.
They raced into a 27-14 first quarter lead to make an early statement of intent - a message being delivered in no uncertain terms by captain Drew Sullivan, ho led by example with 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
With Sharks suffering something of a Trophy hangover, Riders continued to dominate during the second quarter and by half-time, had taken their lead out to an unassailable 46-26.
Sharks weren't helped by BJ Holmes being on a stone cold shooting night until late in the game, a far cry from his MVP display in last Saturday's showpiece game in Glasgow.
The home side couldn't find any kind of telling run during the second half to even remotely threaten any kind of comeback and Riders coasted to yet another league success.
Jay Couisnard top scored for Riders with 18 points, whilst Demetrius Johnson was one of the few players anywhere near par for the losing team.
One Health Sharks Sheffield 63 (Babalola 12, Jemison 12, Holmes 10)
Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 85 (Cousinard 18, Anderson 14, Sullivan 13)
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