The Leicester Riders returned to the Mattioli Arena on Friday night looking to build on their overtime win against Caledonia Gladiators, but a last-second three saw Manchester Basketball snatch a dramatic 101–98 victory.
Leicester came into the game aiming to continue their push up the table, having won two of their last three, while Manchester arrived in strong form despite recent narrow losses. In the end, it was the visitors who edged a high-scoring contest in the closing seconds.
Fast Start from Manchester
Manchester came out firing, knocking down multiple early three-pointers to race into a quick lead and put the Riders on the back foot. Travis Evee opened Leicester’s account from the free throw line, before linking up with Aaron Menzies for a tough inside finish to steady things.
Despite those efforts, Manchester’s offensive rhythm continued, with Max Jones and Patrick Smith Jr combining for an impressive start. Leicester began to respond through Evee, who hit from deep, and Kedrian Johnson, who finished a strong and-one play in transition.
The Riders gradually found some flow late in the quarter, with contributions from Mike Joiner and Tomide Akinsiku helping on the glass, but they still trailed 32–24 at the end of the first.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Riders Battle but Gap Remains
Leicester started the second quarter with intent as Xavier Bledson pushed the pace and found Victor Ndoukou for a driving lay-up, before adding a score of his own on the next possession.
However, Manchester continued to apply pressure, particularly from beyond the arc, while the Riders struggled to convert their own outside looks. Max Jones remained a key threat, causing problems for the Leicester defence.
A bright moment came as Flynn Boardman-Raffet showed composure under the basket, setting up Menzies for an emphatic dunk. Still, Manchester maintained control, and the Riders went into halftime trailing 54–43.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Keddy leads Fight Back
The Riders came out of the break with renewed energy. Boardman-Raffet got things started from the free throw line before attacking the basket for a driving finish, while Kedrian Johnson added a mid-range score to build momentum.
Leicester’s intensity lifted on both ends, with Johnson and Evee sparking a run that shifted the game. Johnson knocked down a big three, and Menzies found Evee on the perimeter for another, as the Riders surged into the lead for the first time.
Defensively, Leicester tightened up, holding Manchester to limited scoring during a key stretch. Although the visitors responded late through Jones and Smith Jr, the Riders had turned the tide heading into the final quarter.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Last-Second Heartbreak
The final period delivered a tense, end-to-end battle. Joiner made an immediate impact off the bench, while Ndoukou knocked down a three to keep Leicester within touching distance.
Boardman-Raffet continued to influence the game, hitting a crucial shot to cut the deficit to a single point. Momentum briefly swung further in Leicester’s favour when Max Jones was ejected after picking up two technical fouls.
Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Riders pushed forward, converting key plays including a three-point opportunity to edge ahead. However, Manchester responded from the free throw line to tie the game with just 30 seconds remaining.
With the game hanging in the balance, it was Jordan Johnson who delivered the decisive moment, knocking down a deep three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left on the clock.
Leicester were unable to respond in the closing seconds, as Manchester secured a dramatic 101–98 win.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Looking Ahead
Despite the result, the Riders showed resilience to battle back from an early deficit and take control during the third quarter. Performances from Johnson, Boardman-Raffet, and Evee will provide positives, but execution in the closing moments proved decisive.
Leicester will now look to regroup quickly as they continue their push for playoff positioning in the final stretch of the season, as they face B. Braun Sheffield Sharks back-to-back on Sunday before hosting them at the Mattioli Arena on Tuesday, 21st April.
