Leicester Riders opened their 2026 road schedule with a hard-fought 84–79 win over Bristol Flyers, backing up their recent victory against Manchester to secure consecutive Championship wins for Rob Paternostro’s side.
The two teams met for the third time this season after Riders closed out 2025 with an 85–73 home win over the Flyers. Since then Leicester had to battle past Manchester, where Tomiwa Sulaiman starred with an MVP performance, and RaeQuan Battle SLB Molten Player of the Month for December arrived in Bristol looking to continue his red-hot scoring form.
Flyers Start Fast, Bench Responds
Bristol won the tip and Zach Anderson opened scoring from deep as the Flyers came out firing. Leicester answered through Donald Carey Jr’s early fadeaway and Battle’s wing triple, but Anderson’s hot hand pushed Bristol into an early lead.
Paternostro turned to his bench midway through the quarter and the impact was instant. Flynn Boardman-Raffet and Tomiwa Sulaiman linked up well, while Travis Evee added energy and a late triple. Boardman-Raffet capped the period with an and-one at the buzzer, though Riders still trailed 22–19.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Riders Rally Late
Bristol stretched their advantage early in the second behind Joseph Anderson’s shooting, building a 10-point lead as Leicester struggled to find rhythm. Nate Martin provided a spark with a powerful dunk, before Battle produced the play of the half knocking down a three on the break while drawing the foul to complete a four-point play.
Carey Jr then took control, leading a Riders surge with steals, assists and a crucial late triple from the wing to swing the lead Leicester’s way. Riders went into halftime ahead 41–39, with Battle on 17 first-half points.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Leicester Turn Up the Heat
Carey Jr and Battle came out firing after the break, combining for quick scores to put Leicester in front. Spencer Johnson added from deep and Marc Loving attacked the rim as Riders found offensive flow, though Bristol stayed within reach through Brodie and Joseph Anderson.
Late threes from Evee off the bench kept Riders ahead in a back-and-forth period, Leicester holding a narrow 66–62 lead heading into the fourth. Battle and Anderson were tied on 20 points apiece.
Credit: Leicester Riders Media
Composure Seals the Win
Bristol threatened early in the final quarter, highlighted by a Yoakum dunk that brought the home crowd to life. But Riders responded through Evee, Martin and Battle, who continued to score under pressure.
Carey Jr hit a huge pull-up to stretch the lead to eight, before Brodie fouled out with two minutes remaining a turning point Leicester capitalised on. From there Riders held their nerve to close out an important 84–79 road victory.
Battle finished with 25 points, while Carey Jr led the offence superbly with 21 points and 6 assists.
Leicester now shift focus to next Friday’s crucial Championship Cup clash against Surrey 89ers, with a semi-final place on the line. Tickets on sale now
