The Leicester Riders produced a stunning team performance to defeat the Surrey 89ers on the road 83–80, capped by a dramatic last-second triple from Travis Evee.
All eyes were on Head Coach Rob Paternostro’s Riders heading into the game, with the team missing key players RaeQuan Battle, Donald Carey Jr and Marc Loving due to an administrative matter currently being resolved by the club. Their absence opened the door for several players and the Riders delivered a resilient, high-energy performance from start to finish.
Captain Johnson Sets the Tone
Captain Spencer Johnson led by example early, getting the Riders on the board with a jump shot from the wing before Flynn Boardman-Raffet quickly added to the scoring.
Johnson was electric in the opening minutes, scoring eight of Leicester’s first twelve points while attacking confidently and finishing a smooth fadeaway jumper. Nate Martin added a slick finish at the rim, showing impressive footwork inside.
Surrey responded through Isaiah Small and Nedas Cholevinskas, both knocking down triples to keep the visitors in touch. But Leicester continued to play with freedom and confidence, with Boardman-Raffet driving the tempo and Travis Evee adding a finish off the glass.
The Riders’ aggressive play allowed them to stretch the lead by the end of the quarter as they lead 29 to 20.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Surrey Respond
Kino Lilly Jr sparked Surrey early in the second period, draining a deep three to ignite the crowd. Leicester responded through Victor Ndoukou, who finished an impressive reverse lay-up.
Johnson continued to impact the game defensively, forcing a steal that pushed the Riders back onto the attack. However, Surrey began to settle into the contest, with Michael Graham asserting himself inside and Polite III attacking the key to give the 89ers their first lead.
Flynn Boardman-Raffet answered with an open lay-up before Travis Evee added another strong finish at the rim. Nate Martin continued his physical work inside, powering through defenders to score.
Despite Surrey’s strong response, Leicester held firm and carried a 1 point lead into halftime Riders 42 – Surrey 4.
Riders Raise the Intensity
Leicester opened the second half with purpose as Evee attacked the lane before Martin cleaned up the play for two.
Tomiwa Sulaiman then took over a key stretch of the quarter. The forward hit a triple before scoring on consecutive possessions, including a smooth pull-up jumper and fadeaway that energized the Riders.
Boardman-Raffet continued his impressive night, reaching 14 points while providing relentless energy. Martin battled hard on the boards and quickly found Evee on the perimeter for another big three.
Aaron Menzies also used his physical presence well defensively, disrupting Surrey’s rhythm inside the paint.
Johnson remained influential, slicing through the defence with a well-taken Eurostep as Leicester closed out a superb quarter as they take a narrow 5 point lead 64 to Surrey 59..
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Evee Delivers the Moment
The final quarter delivered drama. Johnson forced an offensive foul early, but Surrey quickly responded with Isaiah Small finishing inside to cut the deficit.
Cholevinskas then drained a triple to bring the game within a single point before Boardman-Raffet answered with another clutch score.
A brilliant sequence between Boardman-Raffet and Sulaiman resulted in another triple for Leicester, but Surrey refused to back down. Polite III attacked the baseline before Lilly Jr tied the game with a deep three with four minutes remaining.
Late triples from Surrey gave the visitors a six-point advantage entering the closing minutes.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Evee responded by attacking the basket for two before driving again to cut the deficit to just two points with seconds remaining.
Then came the decisive moment. Sulaiman forced a crucial steal before Johnson drove to the rim to tie the game.
With just two seconds remaining, Evee received the ball and launched a dramatic three-pointer that swished through the net to seal an incredible Riders victory.
