Scorchers fall to reigning BBL league champions
Scorchers hit the road for the first away game of the season. After Friday night’s disappointing loss to London Lions Creon’s side look to rectify as they match up with last years league winners the Leicester Riders.
Injuries still hinder Scorchers as they play without Americans Stanley Davis Jr and Lamar Hamrick due to registration issues. Andrew Lawrence and Robert Gilchrist also do not make the journey to the midlands with injury updates pending.
The first quarter opened with league MVP Geno Crandall playing a two man game with Henry working the ball inside for Riders. The opposition jumped to a quick lead as Loving found his range netting back to back 3 pointers, time out Scorchers.
After some adjustments Scorchers found their feet, an injection off the bench from Wanliss bringing energy on defence and knocked down his first jump shot.
Tayo completes a perfect quarter going 100% from the field as he keeps Scorchers in the game finishing the quarter down by 10 points.
Okiki checked in for Scorchers in the 2nd Quarter and turned up the defence. Legend climbed to the mountains for a huge block sending one out of bounds bringing the score within 8.
Trying to claw it back McLemore finds his range from deep. However the hot hands were still with Riders Loving as he cashes in from beyond the arc and would finish with 21 points. Score at the half 56 – 45.
The 3rd quarter continued with the same pace of play trading buckets at either end. Scorchers McLemore led the scoring with his smooth style of play in this quarter and would end his night with 19 points.
The effort and energy could not be faulted from the Scorchers side, pressure was still applied throughout the 4th until the final buzzer. Leading this was Wanliss, having a solid 4th quarter bringing a presence on defence and another scoring option at the other end.
With too much work to do and not enough time the Leicester side comfortably played this one out and took a home victory 96- 80. A big performance from Scorchers own Tayo Ogedengbe coming close to his career high with 28 points on the night.
Scorchers look to reset at practise this week as we prepare for Plymouth City Patriots at home on Saturday October 2nd.
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