Leicester Riders will take a convincing 78-55 lead back to Leicester after a dominant display against Bristol Flyers in the first leg of the Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter-Final.
Zach Jackson, making his return from injury, led the Riders with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, going 7-14 from the field. He was backed by an emphatic effort from Jaylin Hunter, who logged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals from the point guard position.
Leicester’s third-quarter defence proved the difference on the night. The Riders held their opponents to four points in the opening six minutes of the second half to burst out to a big lead, which they held in the fourth.
They had success on the fastbreak following momentum-building steals, resulting in a number of buckets at the hoop.
The Flyers shot 34% from the field and 22% from three on the game, led by 11 points from star guard Kedrian Johnson.
The sides now head to Leicester on Monday, the Riders looking to wrap up the fixture and progress to the Semi-Final.
Riders survive slow scoring start
The first half was a contrast to the second. A hard fought defensive affair saw the sides locked at 30 at the half despite the lopsided final score.
Charles Thompson set the tone for the Riders with their first six points of the ball game. Those buckets led the team in the opening ten minutes, but the Flyers took an early lead, and Leicester only amassed 15 points in the first.
Evan Walshe, off the back of his triple double to end the regular season, had 8 points in the opening quarter to lead all players, earning Bristol an early lead. The Flyers’ three point shooting was on target to end the period. They hit two triples near the conclusion of the first to take a four point lead into the second.
The Riders started the game shooting 30% from the field and 1-4 from three midway into the second period. That saw them down 27-19.
Riley Abercrombie ended the shooting drought with 5:10 until the half with a triple from the wing for his first scoring contribution. The Aussie’s triple set of a Riders run which cut it to a one point difference. The Riders tied it up at 30 at the half with a Zach Jackson drive to the hoop.
Riders defence leads third quarter charge
The Riders found third quarter form through Jackson and Hunter to build an 11 point lead to start the second half. Hunter came up with steals and scores on two straight possessions, meanwhile, Jackson got to work on the right elbow for two tough makes.
The defensive prowess shown in the first half continued into the second. Leicester held Bristol to four points in the first six minutes of the second quarter to build a lead. The Flyers turned it over five times in that period, allowing the Riders to get out in transition.
Flyers leading man Johnson took the lid off the basket with a triple and stemmed the bleeding for Bristol. But back-to-back buckets at the hoop for Hunter put an end to any potential Flyers momentum, ending the third 55-38.
Leicester extended their advantage from there- Hunter bringing his tally to 17 with two quick scores and Leicester’s defence continuing to suffocate Bristol. They made it a 26 point advantage in the fourth.
Second Leg in Leicester
The return leg for this fixture will be played on Monday, May 5 at 1:30 pm in Leicester.
You can get tickets here.
