Leicester Riders routed Newcastle Eagles 84-63 to lift the BBL Playoff title at London’s 02 Arena last night and confirm their standing as British basketball’s dominant club.
Pierre Hampton grabbed 14 points and 14 rebounds with the league and Trophy winners rounding off the season with a domestic treble as they raced as much as 33 ahead in the fourth quarter.
“This really typified what we’re about,” Riders coach Rob Paternostro said. “Defensively, we were locked in from start to finish. To hold them under 30 points in the first half was something special.”
Imposing themselves immediately, Leicester never relented even when racing 24-8 in front with Andy Thomson adding a game-high 18 points off the bench against his former team. Newcastle, who regressed after beating Glasgow Rocks to secure the BBL Cup in January, could simply never hit their stride in what could yet be the final game for their 43-year-old player-coach Fab Flournoy.
“The way we jumped on top of them in the first quarter really set the tone,” Paternostro added. “We came out aggressive, we were on the boards. With Newcastle, you get concerned about them getting off to a fast start but we did that and we were able to build on that.”
The gauntlet now has been laid down to all others, including the Rocks, to strengthen this summer with the vast strength in depth of Leicester affording them a telling advantage over all their would-be rivals.
“When we built the team that’s what we wanted,” their coach added. “I thought we were going to have a group that would have the depth, not only to compete for the championship but also to practice. We can go five-on-five with good players and that’s how we improved.”
Sevenoaks Suns beat Nottingham Wildcats 70-61 to claim the Women’s BBL Playoff title with the game’s MVP Catherine Carr notching 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile Great Britain forward Temi Fagbenle has become only the second Brit ever to feature in the Women’s NBA after sealing a place on the Minnesota Lynx’s roster ahead of the start of the new season last night.
RESULTS
BBL Playoff Final (The 02). Leicester Riders 84 Newcastle Eagles 63. WBBL Playoff Final. Sevenoaks Suns 70 Nottingham Wildcats 61
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