Riders return from the international Break against Cheshire Phoenix off the back of an impressive win against Caledonia Gladiators, this is the third meeting between the two teams this season with Cheshire Phoenix winning last time out.
The game didn’t disappoint in the fiery battle between the two teams as the Riders snatched a dramatic late winner at the wire.
Fast Start and High Energy at Both Ends
Cheshire won the tip but couldn’t convert the opening play, allowing the Riders to strike first as Spencer Johnson attacked the baseline and finished smoothly at the rim. Marc Loving followed with his first points soon after.
Both sides traded blows in an energetic opening spell. Loving made an early statement with four quick points and strong work on the boards, while RaeQuan Battle got the Riders bench on their feet with a monster dunk.
Cheshire captain Skyler White proved dangerous from deep, draining two triples on his way to five early points, while Linquency Rideau continued to cause problems inside.
Donald Carey Jr found his rhythm late in the quarter, connecting with Johnson for a neat inside finish. And with the clock winding down, Battle rose up to hit a deep three. Despite Riders slick offence they trailed by one at the end of the first.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Riders Find Their Flow Behind Battle’s Hot Hands
Battle opened the second quarter just as he ended the first, pulling up from deep and knocking down the jumper.
On the defensive end, the Riders stepped up, with Nate Martin rebounding superbly to limit Cheshire’s second-chance looks. That momentum carried into offense as Travis Evee hit a triple to extend the Riders’ slim advantage.
Battle continued to pour it in, hitting double digits early in the quarter and knocking down four triples in the first half. Meanwhile, Carey Jr orchestrated the offense brilliantly, dishing seven first-half assists.
Cheshire stayed in the fight thanks to captain White, who reached 15 points, and Patrick Robinson, who remained clinical in the paint.
Loving added to the pressure by combining with Carey Jr for his ninth point of the half. Battle led all scorers with 18 at the break, looking well on course for back-to-back 30-point games.
The Riders controlled most of the second quarter but Cheshire remained within striking distance: Riders 47 – Phoenix 44.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Momentum Swings as Cheshire Edge Ahead Late
Cheshire struck first to begin the third, but the Riders answered instantly, attacking the rim with purpose. Battle powered in back-to-back layups, while White kept Cheshire moving with another tough jumper.
Physicality increased as both teams fought for control. Nate Martin continued anchoring the Riders defensively, cleaning the glass with authority.
On offense, Loving and Johnson remained reliable, both hitting double digits as Leicester tried to create separation. But Cheshire’s Patrick Robinson began heating up, reaching 12 points as the game remained tight.
The crowd erupted late in the quarter as Rideau converted a driving finish to push the Phoenix into the lead, before Battle was hit with an offensive foul followed by a technical — a key momentum shift.
Cheshire carried a narrow lead into the final 10 minutes: Phoenix 67 – Riders 64.
Late Drama as Riders Steal It at the Line
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
With everything on the line, Cheshire struck first, Rideau knocking down a jumper to extend the lead to five. The home crowd roared as Phoenix built momentum, forcing Head Coach Rob Paternostro to call an early timeout.
The Riders responded. Loving was fouled on the baseline and made both free throws before Nate Martin silenced the arena with a thunderous dunk.
Battle absorbed more contact inside and headed to the line again, and moments later captain Spencer Johnson drained a huge triple to cut the game to just four.
With two minutes remaining, the Riders trailed by only a possession. Cheshire continued to hit tough shots from deep, but Leicester dominated the turnover battle and kept themselves alive.
Nate Martin delivered another massive dunk to make it a two-point game before chaos unfolded in the final minute. With 45 seconds left, Rideau was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, giving Riders a lifeline.
Then — with 13 seconds on the clock — Johnson stepped up and buried a clutch three-pointer to tie it, bringing the visiting bench to its feet.
On the final possession, Frankie Policelli fouled Donald Carey Jr with just seconds remaining. Carey Jr missed the first… but under a hostile Cheshire crowed sank the second to give the Riders a dramatic lead.
Cheshire’s last attempt fell short, and the Riders completed a dramatic comeback victory. As the Riders see out the game, winners 89-88.
