The third week of BBL action saw the first round of Cup action as Leeds Force got off the mark and a Great Britain international make his mark on his debut.
BBL CUP
Glasgow Rocks edged out the London Lions 62-56 at the Emirates Arena as GB international Kieron Achara began another spell with the Scottish side with a stellar showing of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
London trailed for the majority, but finally had summer signings Lovell Cook and Zaire Taylor available for the first time as well as the other acquisition Andrew Sullivan.
Cheshire Phoenix are also though to the next round as they comfortably saw-off Durham Wildcats 88-65 at home.
Taylor King led the Phoenix with 24 points and 9 rebounds as Cheshire pulled clear in the fourth quarter and never looked back. Odiba Attah led the Wildcats with 12.
Leeds Force got their first win of the season in week three as they eliminated the unpredictable Manchester Giants 80-69 at Leeds Metropolitan University.
The game was all tied up at 55-55 after three quarters when the Force made their move. A 9-3 start to the final period was enough as Leeds built their advantage. James McCann led the Force with 21 points.
Bristol Flyers continued their fine form as they went the distance with the Plymouth Raiders before winning 93-92 in double overtime.
A one-handed dunk by Mathias Seilund and couple of baskets by Doug Herring down the eventual stretch, finally got the Flyers over the line, as they record their second win over the Raiders already this season.
Herring led Bristol with 26 points.
BBL Cup holders Leicester Riders had no problems overcoming Surrey United 98-80 as they gradually pulled away in the second quarter in what was a routine victory.
Tyler Bernardini led all scorers with 28 points for the Riders. Trevor Setty led Surrey with 25.
LEAGUE ACTION SAW LAST SEASON’S TOP TWO COLLIDE
Newcastle Eagles got the better of the Sheffield Sharks 95-84 at Sports Central as Darius Defoe led the winners with 30 points.
Eagles showed no hangover from releasing point guard Ricky Taylor earlier in the week as a clutch fourth quarter showing from the Eagles saw them overcome their opening day defeat at home with a win here.
BRISTOL KEEP ON FLYING
On top of their heroic double-overtime success over Plymouth, Bristol Flyers defeated the Manchester Giants 82-73 on the road.
Doug Herring led all scorers with 23 points as the BBL new boys remain in second place with a surprise 3-1 record.
RIDERS REMAIN UNBEATEN
Leicester Riders came from behind to defeat the Plymouth Raiders 99-91 at the Plymouth Pavilions, as they remain the BBL’s only unbeaten side at 3-0.
The Riders went on a 10-0 run in the final two minutes as Rashad Hassan hit 26 points to lead the Riders to victory.
