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Nurishment Leicester Riders 84 (15,36,64)
Blalock 25, Johnson 24, Perry 13
Westfield Sharks Sheffield 75 (24,45,57)
Myers/Scantlebury 14, Reinking 12
Nurishment Leicester Riders won the BBL Championship for the very
first time in franchise history on Saturday night, as they defeated
Westfield Sharks Sheffield 84-75 at Wembley Arena.
Riders trailed in the first half, but the turning point came in
the third quarter.
After a close opening five minutes, Sharks pulled out a 9-point
advantage at 24-15, following eight unanswered points.
Riders' woes were added to as Karl Brown was stretchered off late
in the first quarter with a knee injury.
The frenetic pace continued in the second quarter, but Riders could
not make any major inroads into the Sharks lead, which was nine
points at half-time at 45-36 to Sheffield.
However, Riders began the third quarter in pulsating form, outscoring
the Sharks 12-2 in the early stages to lead 48-47.
Sharks retook the advantage and led 52-51 before Riders hit a 10-2
run to lead 61-54.
Riders led was extended to as many as ten points early in the fourth
quarter, but Sharks fought back and a 9-1 run brought them back
to within two points at 70-68 to Leicester.
Riders extended their lead again and with Riders leading 76-68 Sharks
lost Terrell Myers to five fouls.
A big three pointer from Nate Reinking with just under two minutes
left gave Sheffield hope, as the score stood at 77-71, but they
could get no closer as their shooting deserted them.
Game MVP Larry Johnson scored 24 points for Riders, but Ralph Blalock
led all scorers with 25 points.
Terrell Myers and Peter Scantlebury were the Sharks best, with 14
points each.
Source: BBL
BBL
Championship Final - Post Game Press Conferences
Leicester Riders' Karl Brown & Billy Mims: Click
here
Sheffield Sharks' Chris Finch: Click
here
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