The Riders recorded two wins in a crucial doubleheader weekend, beating the Plymouth City Patriots at home, and the Caledonia Gladiators in the clutch on the road.
Here’s what we can take from the weekend of action…
Multiple scoring threats
In both games over the weekend, the Riders had three players score over 15 points and two score 20.
Different games are for different guys, and only two players, Jaren Holmes and leading scorer Teddy Allen, put up double digits in both games, but the Riders showed they can rely on multiple players to step up and put the ball in the basket when their name is called.
Leicester shot 37% from three in both games and 51% from three across the two fixtures to flex their offensive firepower and efficiency.
Their 102 points against the Gladiators on Sundays means they now average over 90 points per game on the season, third-most in the League.
Captain Kimbal in the clutch
For the second straight game on the road in Caledonia, the Riders’ captain stepped up in the clutch for crucial scores.
Last time, he pulled up from midrange with 10 seconds to go to put the Riders up one, but the Gladiators found a response to win it at the hands of Clifton Moore Jr.
Two weeks ago, Mackenzie had a clutch outing in the Trophy Final Four, where he drove to the bucket for an and-one score to put the Riders up one with 20 seconds left.
But this time, he led Leicester to a win with his performance late. The Canadian took over with a minute and a half left and scored six straight points, including two go-ahead buckets to put the scoring load on his back.
Mackenzie’s play earned him the Player of the Game, and secured an important win for the team in a doubleheader weekend.
Turning a corner
Leicester entered the weekend with a .500 record, with an important pair of games awaiting them as they hoped to climb the Championship standings. On Sunday night, they improved to 13-11, and now sit fourth, just a game behind the Gladiators in third.
The Riders have won four on the bounce in the Championship, a run which started at home against the Sheffield Sharks with a 103-75 win on December 30. They have a chance to make it five with the same fixture on Friday.
Their game against the Sharks marks the first of another doubleheader, with a trip to the Plymouth City Patriots awaiting them on Sunday. It’s another vital run of games for Rob Paternostro’s side, and they need you behind them.
