In their quest for the title, Leicester Riders continued their strong form as they defeated the Surrey 89ers 91-84, with Spencer Johnson racking up 20 points, in what was a hard fought contest.
Words: Daniel Ajanaku
First Quarter: Johnson Ignites early momentum, but Surrey Strike Late
The opening quarter delivered a back-and-forth contest with Surrey striking first through a Josh Steel layup.
Riders came into the game looking to attack with Johnson draining three back-to-back triples, giving them a 9-2 lead, and picking up key defensive rebounds to set the tone.
Despite Charles Thompson’s early shooting struggles, Leicester maintained pressure through his and Johnson’s defensive rebounding. Riley Abercrombie added a tough and-one to stretch the lead further.
Surrey battled back, with Cameron Gooden and Dame Adelekun chipping away at the lead. With the Riders shooting 4/15 late in the quarter, Surrey sparked a comeback, beginning with Nedas Cholevinskas making his free throws to tie it at 12.
Ethan Wright responded with a three, whilst Zach Jackson contributed a mid-range bucket, making it 17-14. Dame Adelekun continued to be a problem within 10 feet, keeping the 89ers within reach.
Jaylin Hunter and Wright scored again late but Surrey had the last laugh with Cholevinskas beating the buzzer with his corner three, to end the quarter and level the score at 21-21
Second Quarter: Turnovers Halt Riders’ form as Surrey end with Narrow Lead
The second quarter continued in the same fashion as the first, neck and neck, with neither side able to establish a distinctive advantage.
Despite strong individual plays, including Duke Shelton’s relentless hustle, turning a missed layup into second-chance points and Thompson successfully working the post, Leicester struggled to find consistency with their shot.
Duke battling it out
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) April 17, 2025pic.twitter.com/g4u5QzJwV5
This inconsistency trickled into ball security, with a series of four turnovers in quick succession, allowing the 89ers to go on a small run. Gooden converted a transition slam and Jalen Ray turned transition into points, draining a mid-range shot making it 29-33.
Johnson remained the dominant factor, tallying 15 points on 83% shooting by halftime. A technical free throw from Jackson brought the Riders within one, but the Riders couldn’t capitalize on their final possession, heading into halftime narrowly training 40-41.
Third Quarter: Abercrombie’s burst proves crucial
Leicester came out of the half firing gathering momentum starting off with Hunter’s three contributing to a 9-2 run.
Defensively, the Riders went off, hustling on the glass as Thompson made key defensive rebounds, whilst showcasing defensive IQ, forcing turnovers. and preventing multiple Surrey offensive rebounds.
Jackson began to catch fire with a drained triple and a crafty layup, which forced a Surrey timeout. Abercrombie made a late impact, hitting back-to-back threes, including one in transition, to extend the lead to double digits.
HOW???!!!
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) April 17, 2025@_jaylinhunter12 pic.twitter.com/2bHbO7YfPy
However, Surrey would not stay down as James and Adelekun attempted to shrink the lead some more.
Thompson continued to show great fight, closing the quarter with a gritty putback bucket, after multiple rebounds, giving Leicester a 66-58 lead going into the final period.
Fourth Quarter: Composure on Both Ends of the Floor to Close
The fourth continued in close fashion as Gooden started with a three to kickstart a 89ers comeback. He followed up with a reverse layup, before Riders’ guard Hunter jabbed back with a reverse layup of his own, to make it 68-63.
The 89ers continued to apply pressure as Cholevinskas’ three followed by James’ fastbreak layup tied the game at 72, forcing Leicester to run through tactics in their timeout.
The Riders responded with Jackson draining the big corner three to regain the lead. However, Adelekun and James were there to halt momentum and keep it within one possession.
MONEY
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) April 17, 2025pic.twitter.com/VbSl2vk7mj
Thompson’s pressure was key once again, with his offensive rebound, spin and composed finish extending the lead 77-74. Despite Gooden, leaving the floor injured, Surrey amped their aggression, with Cholevinskas hitting his second three to tie it up at 79.
The 89ers tried to get the quick bucket and the last say through a James Ray pull up three, but it was not enough to tie the game up
Despite Leicester’s streaky shooting at the line, to start the fourth quarter, they pulled through when it mattered. Within the last 90 seconds, their composure was decisive with Jackson, Thompson and Hunter all converting at the line, icing the game at 91-84.
Johnson’s composed nature on both ends of the floor proved critical, capping off a TrophiesPlusMedals Player of the Game performance, finishing with 20 points and 8 rebounds on 66% shooting and 83% at the line.
With this crucial win, the Riders will look to continue their winning ways as they welcome Cheshire Phoenix to the Mattioli Arena on Sunday.
