Riders outlast Eagles in double overtime to make it three wins on the bounce.
The Leicester Riders produced another huge result on the road in the race for playoff positioning, battling past long-time rivals Newcastle Eagles 94–86 after double overtime in Tyneside.
Off the back of back-to-back wins over B. Braun Sheffield, Rob Paternostro’s side showed resilience and composure in a dramatic contest, with Keddy Johnson and Travis Evee delivering when it mattered most.
Tight Opening Battle
Eagles won the tip, but it was the Riders who struck first as Aaron Menzies powered into the paint and opened the scoring.
Both teams traded early fouls as they settled into the contest, with Evee getting to work through a floating jump shot before Gus Okafor responded for the Eagles.
Tomide Akinsiku made an early impact off the bench with an athletic block that lifted the tempo but was called as a foul, while Keddy Johnson showed his creativity with a mid-air fake and finish before linking up with Xavier Bledson for another basket.
It was a tightly contested first quarter, with the Riders trailing narrowly, 17–16.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Riders Edge In Front
Flynn Boardman-Raffet opened the second with a spin move and score as the Riders started to raise their intensity.
Evee continued to orchestrate the offence, while Menzies made his presence felt defensively with a strong rejection on Josh Ward-Hibbert.
Bledson produced one of the plays of the half, slicing through defenders before finding Johnson for two, as the Riders began to gain control.
But it was the Riders’ defensive discipline and improved execution that saw them take a 34–31 lead into halftime.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
The Eagles started fast after the break, though an attempted alley-oop from Dion Hammond went astray.
Johnson responded with a three from the wing before waving to the crowd, while both teams continued to trade baskets in a quarter where neither side could create separation.
Foul trouble began to loom for both teams, with much of the scoring coming from the line.
Mike Joiner added a tip-in finish, and Bledson knocked down a late jumper, but Newcastle edged in front heading into the fourth, 48–47.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Drama Builds
With everything to play for, the intensity rose in the final quarter.
Terrell Burden Jr picked up his fourth foul early, and Joiner punished it at the free-throw line. Bledson added a three, while Hammond answered with a powerful dunk to ignite the home crowd.
Johnson continued to deliver, reaching 19 points with a huge pull-up jumper, before Evee forced a turnover and buried a massive three.
Leicester looked poised to see it out, but Newcastle responded in the closing seconds to tie the game at 67–67 and force overtime.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Keddy Johnson Difference Maker in Double Overtime
Victor Ndoukou opened overtime with a strong drive, but Ray’Sean Taylor answered with a huge three.
Both teams continued to exchange scores, with Evee carrying Leicester through key possessions, but neither side could find the decisive blow.
The deadlock remained at 76–76, sending the game into double overtime.
Newcastle struck first through Cole Long from deep, but Leicester responded immediately.
Ndoukou tipped in a crucial basket before Johnson added an open lay-up as the Riders moved in front.
Okafor hit back for the Eagles, but Johnson took over the game. The Riders guard delivered one of the defining moments of the night, shaking two defenders and drilling a huge jumper to stretch Leicester’s lead.
From there, the Riders controlled the closing stages, seeing out a 94–86 victory to complete a remarkable double-overtime win.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Looking Ahead
It was a statement result from Leicester their third straight win and perhaps their grittiest of the season.
Johnson was outstanding down the stretch, Evee controlled the tempo throughout, and Akinsiku again provided valuable energy off the bench.
The Riders now face a quick turnaround as they travel to face Cheshire Phoenix in the final game of the regular season, with playoff seeding still on the line.
