Scorchers struggle on the road to Riders

Scorchers struggle on the road to the undefeated Leicester Riders 

Scorchers travelled to the midlands to take on Rob Paternosters undefeated Leicester Riders in the BBL Championship.

Struggling for a full squad, coach Raftopoulos made the trip without key players Stanley Davis Jr and Lamar Hamrick as the Surrey side yet to produce a full fit squad this season.

With a depleted squad and defensive stopper Davis Jr missing, Riders MVP Geno Crandall blitzed the opening of the game scoring his first five of seven three-pointers and would go on to finish with 24 points and 9 assists in 23 minutes of play.

Offensively Scorchers were unable to find the net shooting 30% from the field and 21% from three, their lowest shooting performance of the season.

After a slow start to the game Scorchers found a bit of rhythm in the first quarter as Caylin Raftopoulos came off the bench to bring some composure to the offense as well as a bust of energy from Dean Wanliss who knocked down a three-pointer entering the game.

An unbelievable job from Saiquan Jamison cleaning up the boards at both ends bringing in 9 rebounds in the first quarter alone. He would continue as the leagues top rebounded finishing the night with 21 boards.

Turnovers in the second quarter turned defense to offence for the Riders as they extended the lead to 14 at the half. A positive first half performance from captain Tayo Ogedengbe with 11 points heading to the locker room kept the game within 14 points. Riders 46 – 32 Scorchers.

The second half Riders asserted their dominance, locking down on defense and disrupting the flow for Scorchers. Riders were able to bring fresh bodies off the bench forcing tired legs onto the Surrey side. Frustrations were seen with a technical foul on Saiquan Jamison followed by another on the away teams bench.

A positive from the final quarter saw Scorchers young Adam Riabi insert himself into the game giving a lift off the bench knocking down his first three-pointer and getting to the hoop for 2 points.

With the game well out of reach Riders ran the clock down to take a dominant 90 – 61 win as the home side remains undefeated in the BBL Championship. Scorchers look to regroup with a busy weekend ahead preparing for Bristol away Friday night at SGS Arena, we then return home Saturday 4th December taking on Glasgow Rocks for the first time this season.