London Lions return to Sports Park for the first time since new years day where the Scorchers stole a 1-point victory as one of Scorchers 3 wins this season.
Scorchers enter the game without Americans Stanley Davis Jr, Lamar Hamrick and Desmond Ringer. Lions have a little injury trouble of their own as in the recent week Justin Robinson was announced out for the season and Roy-Hibbert did also not suit up.
Lions control the tip and Ryan Martin opens the scoring with a 3-pointer in his first appearance at Surrey Sports park. Reese follows this with one of his own as Lions jump out to a 6-0 lead.
Wanliss starting for Scorchers this evening comes with instant energy as the forward knocks down three triples and a layup to score all of Scorchers opening 13 points.
With the scorchers bench hyping the hot hand, London continues to match the shots from deep netting 5 3-pointers in the opening quarter.
Rotating the bench early coach Creon brings on McLemore, Wilkins and young Scorcher Gannicleft to keep the energy high to finish off the quarter behind 27 – 19.
Scorchers begin the 2nd quarter behind a steal and easy finish from Dang-Akodo. However, Reese finds his range from deep and makes back-to-back 3-points to press pause on Scorchers momentum.
Dang-Akodo continues to chase the game and knocks down a shot from deep. Defence turns to offense and Scorchers get out in transition for a finish down the lane to make it a 9-point game and force London into a time out.
Scorchers reduce the deficit to 3 points, but sloppy offense and unforced turnovers see Lions punish each mistake and its quickly back to 9-point game.
The home side find themselves in team fouls to finish the quarter and Kaboza heads to the line to go 2 for 2 to take Lions into the half leading 50 – 39
Scorchers are slow out the gates in the second half before captain Tayo Ogedengbe forces his way to the hoop for 2 points.
Surrey struggle to contain Chris Tawiah in the 3rd quarter as the Lions big man crashes the boards and moves to 14-points in the game.
Offensively shots don’t find the net for Scorchers and Lions begin to create a cushion as the Surrey side chase the game 65 – 49.
Cugini and Neighbour finish the quarter stroking it from the 3-point line and Lions confidently take control of the game heading into the final quarter.
Lions PG Reese catches fire to begin the 4th quarter making shot after shot. With no immediate answer from the Scorchers captain Tayo Ogedengbe puts the team on his back battling his way to the basket to move to 19 points.
Scorchers rely on the 3 ball in an attempt to claw their way back into the game. But with shots not falling the team shoot 31% from beyond the arc.
Lions continue to crash the boards and play out the game. Although a winning chance was out of reach the Scorchers players fought until the final buzzer, a sense of pride which has lacked in recent games.
Final Score 92 – 71
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