Riders fall at first hurdle despite a spirited display

DEFEAT IN OPENER, BUT PLENTY OF PROMISE FOR SEASON AHEAD AS LEICESTER REFUSE TO GIVE UP

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THE Leicester Riders tipped off their season in spirited fashion but fell narrowly short against London Lions at the Mattioli Arena.

The night began brightly as Travis Evee opened the Riders' account with a smooth three-pointer to ignite the home crowd.

London hit back quickly through Joel Scott and Shavar Reynolds Jr, edging ahead 5-3 inside the opening minutes.

Scott continued to impose himself with four early points, setting the tone for the Lions.

The Riders responded well. Evee and Spencer Johnson linked up smartly, with Johnson adding points from the free-throw line to level the score.

Momentum swung further when Flynn Boardman-Raffet sank a confident three, before Emmanuel Akot drove hard to the rim to put the Riders in front 12-11.

The opening period proved a back-and-forth battle, with Evee adding more from the stripe to keep the scoreboard ticking.

However, London ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating three, leaving the Riders trailing 14-18 at the break.

LIONS TAKE CONTROL