Sharks play their part in Leicester thriller

Friday 16th February 2024

British Basketball League Regular Season

Leicester Riders 108 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 94

The two sides went at it like a pair of prizefighters but unfortunately the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks went down by 14 points on the road at in-form Leicester Riders. The Sharks fully played their part in a thrilling contest but a hot third quarter from Riders talisman Teddy Allen, who finished with a 35 point, 12 rebound double-double, gave the hosts a slight edge that took them to the win. Six Sharks made double figure scoring on a good night offensively; something that Atiba Lyons men will look to build on in their next game on February 29th against Plymouth.

Starting Fives

Riders: Mackenzie, Allen, Walker, Idowu, Holmes.

Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.

Key Moments

The Sharks carried the fast pace of their last game against London into this latest encounter. A Malek Green putback and-one play opened up a 3-10 lead and that was maintained by recent GB call-up RJ Eytle-Rock with a triple at 6-13. The Sharks were relentless as a Green three took the gap out to ten at 12-22 but the Leicester comeback started when their Captain Kimbal Mackenzie replied in kind. A pair of Jaren Holmes free throws ended a breakneck first quarter at 27-30.

The Sharks took the next streak. Green got the friendly roll on another three pointer and a Rodney Glasgow mid-ranger opened up a ten point gap at 34-44. A rare Mo Walker triple kept Leicester in touch but a three in transition from Glasgow maintained the Sharks lead. Jaren Holmes banked in a trey on the buzzer followed by the additional point as the Riders went to 53 points, four behind the Sharks biggest half time score of the season of 57.

A 29-14 third quarter inspired by 15 points from the high-scoring Teddy Allen edged Leicester into an eleven point lead. He euro-stepped to the hoop for the opening basket before connecting three times from beyond the arc and four times from the free throw line. In-between times, Eytle-Rock and Glasgow Jr also hit big shots but with the Riders crashing the boards to the tune of 14 to 8, it was the hosts who took an 82-71 lead into the final stanza.

The Sharks called for an early timeout at 87-76 on a ludicrously long Allen triple but remained strong in a 0-10 run that ended on a Malek Green basket. Bennett Koch’s putback restored a Sharks lead at 88-90 but a Mackenzie corner trey began the run that saw Leicester take the game. Devearl Ramsey fouled out inside the final forty seconds and the Riders win was sealed at 108-94 with Allen’s successful and-one play.

MVP

The Sharks out-rebounded their hosts by 21-15 in the first half but saw the tables turned by 28-15 in the second. That did not detract from an excellent performance offensively however. Six Sharks poured in double-figure scores starting with Rodney Glasgow (10), Jalon Pipkins (11) and Devearl Ramsey (12). Bennett Koch went to a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double that also included 2 crucial blocks and there was also a fine night for GB squad member RJ Eytle-Rock. He made five of his nine shots to end with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists. It was a 22 index that saw Malek Green stand out however. He too claimed a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds with 3 assists to boot but despite the tremendous part the Sharks played, they could not break the resolve of the in-form Riders.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Plymouth City Patriots, Thursday February 29th 2024, Canon Medical Arena, 7.45pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates