The Leicester Riders travelled to Manchester determined to bounce back, starting brightly and showing fight throughout. New signing RaeQuan Battle impressed again, while Travis Evee and Emmanuel Akot also shone. Despite strong spells, the Riders fell 87–72 after a physical second half at the National Basketball Performance Centre.
Riders Set the Tone Early
Leicester opened with energy and intent. After Manchester’s Cleary scored first, Battle answered with early baskets and rebounds, linking well with captain Spencer Johnson, who battled inside for an and-one play.
The Riders defence worked hard to disrupt Manchester, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Evee added a confident three from deep to extend the lead, as the visitors closed the quarter ahead 22–16. Battle led with 7 points, while Akot controlled the boards with 3 rebounds.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Sharing the Load
Tomiwa Sulaiman brought physicality off the bench, combining with Johnson to stretch the lead. Flynn Boardman-Raffet injected real spark, contributing 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the half.
Manchester responded with an alley-oop from Cleary and points inside from Osabuhein, but Leicester’s shooting kept them in control. Battle sank three free throws after being fouled from deep, and Evee hit another triple.
At halftime, the Riders led narrowly 40–39, with Battle and Evee on 10 points each and Johnson adding 6 points and 4 rebounds.
Credit: Leicester Riders | Nathan Green
End-to-End Battle in the Third
The Riders came out firing after the break, with Akot draining back-to-back threes to regain momentum. Manchester, however, pressed defensively and found their rhythm inside, nudging ahead midway through.
Johnson’s drives and Evee’s mid-range shooting kept the game tight, but the Riders entered the final quarter trailing 62–57 after a physical exchange.
Riders Fighting to the End
Battle opened the fourth with a fadeaway and three free throws to tie the game, before Boardman-Raffet dropped a mid-range jumper to edge the Riders ahead.
Manchester replied through Cleary, who hit his third three-pointer before fouling out late. Despite chances at the line, the Riders couldn’t capitalise, and Manchester pulled away in the closing minutes.
Akot continued to battle under the rim, finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds, but the loss of Sulaiman to a late head knock left Leicester short inside. Battle led the scoring with 21 points and 8 rebounds, Evee added 17, and Boardman-Raffet impressed again with 10 points and 4 boards.
Looking Ahead
While the result didn’t go Leicester’s way, there were plenty of positives to take on the road. Battle’s showcased his scoring ability, Evee controlled the offence, and the team’s hustle on both ends showed their potential with new pieces settling in and the fight on display.
Riders look ahead to the next fixture when they take on Newcastle Eagles at the Mattioli Arena on the 17th October. Tip-off is at 7:30pm. Get behind Rob Paternostro and the team,, we need the cavalry loud in the stands. Tickets on sale here
