PAWS London Capital will be looking to accomplish to aims when they meet the Marshall MK Lions tomorrow evening; recovering from three defeats in five days, as well as getting their first win in BBL history over the Lions, who have won all ten of the previous encounters between the two clubs. The Lions meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a close 107-111 defeat to Airwaves Plymouth Raiders.
The last time these two sides faced each other was back in November, also in a midweek fixture, and it was the Lions who came out on top with a convincing 102-54 home court win at their former home, Bletchley Leisure Centre. Frank Holmes, who is currently on a return from injury, dominated with a double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds, Dawud Morris scored 23 points, including 4/4 three pointers, in 18 minutes of action, and EJ Harrison ensured that the Lions Atlantic contingent caused a stir, as he quietly went about his business for 13 points and 9 assists. The Capital were led by the irrepressible Ibrahim Gariba, who posted 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Yorick Williams was the man to get the Lions offense going early on, as he fired from downtown to get the scorers working. Frank Holmes and EJ Harrison then chipped in to take the Lions lead to 9-1 early on, as the home team were firing on all cylinders. The first quarter finished 35-12 in the Lions' favour. The second quarter was a similar story, other than the Capital having a much better start, as Ibrahim Gariba scored six quick points without reply. However, Holmes continued to dominate in a quarter that finished 56-31 to the Lions.
The third quarter belonged to Dawud Morris, who netted all four of his three point attempts, whilst the Lions kept the visitors down to just 10 points in the period, a decisive point in the game. They then had no trouble converting this into a 102-54 victory, as all ten of the Lions' players had time on court.
Ahead of a game that the Capital will use to bring up morale, player-coach, Milek Jivens (pictured), said the following: 'The game against MK should be an interesting one. We need to capitalise on our youth against their wisdom – we know that they are a very experienced team that's been together for a while, and so we have to get them into our type of game. We will be wanting to make it an up-and- down, free flowing game, rather than the half court offense that they prefer.'
Source: www.bbl.org.uk
