29th March 2008 Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 104-99 Worcester Wolves

BBL Championship Match Preview

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The Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders kept their slim mathematical hopes of reaching the BBL Championship Playoffs alive after a 104-99 win over their Midlands rivals the Worcester Wolves. It sets up a crucial tie on Wednesday night when the Riders visit the Sheffield Sharks live on Setanta Sports 1.

The win means that the Riders have recorded back-to-back wins in the league for just the second time this season and have continued their revival from a ten-game losing streak.

Carlos White led the way with 25 points, whilst Chad McKnight had 17 and fiery point guard Mindaugas Janiska added 15. Anthony Paez led all scorers with 33 points and 12 rebounds in vain for the Wolves.

A series of technical fouls down the stretch cost the Wolves. After Paez had tied the game at 99 with 40 seconds left, Douaine Anderson received a technical foul for flopping after shooting a three-pointer. Steve Vear hit 2/2 from the line, before Paez was called for a technical foul after arguing with the referees. Wellington made 1/2 before McKnight completed the scoring on the last play.

Earlier in the game, Life hit two three-pointers in a 9-0 first quarter burst that saw the Wolves lead 6-18. Paez then added 7 points, with another triple from Life, the winner of the 2008 Molten Three-Point Shootout, and the Wolves led 20-30 after the opening ten minutes, a triple from Janiska on the buzzer keeping the Riders within striking distance.

The hosts took over in the second quarter as a 13-2 burst, including 2 triples from Joel Burns, who has scored more career three-pointers than any other current BBL player, and a further three from Janiska, gave the Riders a 48-43 lead. Back-to-back three-pointers from Life then saw Worcester regain the lead before an 8-3 finish saw the Riders go in 56-52 to the good at the half.

The teams traded in the third quarter, before the Wolves opened the fourth with the first 8 points to take a 76-80 lead. With four minutes remaining the Riders notched 9 straight points to lead 97-93 before the fascinating conclusion to the game ensued.

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