Leicester Riders play the Newcastle Eagles for the second of back-to-back games against their North Eastern opponents.
They will host the Eagles at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester, as the club looks to pack the house.
Here’s how the game is shaping up…
Fixture information
Leicester Riders vs Newcastle Eagles
Mattioli Arena, Leicester, 7 pm
Last time out
Last week saw the Riders head to Newcastle to face tomorrow’s opponents, coming away with a 77-55 win.
Contrary to the scoreline, the game was contested until late. It was a four-point game going into the final quarter, before the Riders won the fourth 30-14 to blow the game open and take home the win.
Star guard Taylor O’Brien led the team with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, proving the difference in the final quarter with 10 points.
The Riders’ defence won the day, however, forcing 24 turnovers out of their opponents and holding them to 36% shooting from the field.
Season so far
The Riders have established themselves as one of the premier teams in the League once again this season. They sit third with a 9-2 record, their two losses coming to the undefeated London Lions, who they are one win behind in the standings.
They bounced back from a loss to London with three straight wins, beating the Cardiff Met Archers, Durham Palatinates and the Eagles convincingly.
The Riders have made their trade on the offensive glass this season, leading the League with 14.1 per game. They only grabbed nine last time out against the Eagles, so expect the boards to be a point of emphasis in this one.
One to watch
Despite her team’s loss, Tierra Hodges led the game with 20 points and 9 rebounds for the Eagles.
Newcastle’s December signing exploded onto the scene in Newcastle, leading the League in scoring through six games.
The 5’9” wing is scoring 22.1 points per game, awent off for 30 points on her debut and has failed to score 20 points in just one game for the Eagles.
Hodges signed in the North East after an outstanding collegiate career at Furman University and an excellent rookie campaign last season in Finland.
In her final college season, she was named first-team all-conference by coaches and media, led the Southern Conference in rebounding with 10.4 per game and ranked third in scoring with 16.2 per game
