Patriots beaten as Riders claim BBL league title

THE Plymouth City Patriots were in action at the Pavilions on Wednesday night after over a month without a home fixture and despite a very boisterous crowd, they came up short against top opposition.

- PABLO CHEEKS

LUOMICIL PLYMOUTH CITY PATRIOTS.....60

LEICESTER RIDERS.................77

Wednesday night's clash featured two teams at the opposite end of the play-off spectrum, with the Patriots currently in the midst of a battle to make the play-offs and the Leicester Riders, whose win secured them the British Basketball League (BBL) Championship title.

A sold-out Pavilions crowd were treated to an electric start from the home team, as the Patriots raced to an early six-point lead after adding Rowell Graham-Bell to the starting line-up.

Graham-Bell scored five points in the opening few minutes, and performed with his usual hard work and hustle on the defensive end, making him the initial catalyst for the Patriots' charge.

Leicester, however, simply weathered the storm. Geno Crandall, reigning league MVP, and this season's BBL Cup MVP, cruised through the gears as the game progressed and by half-time he had instigated a 12-point Riders lead. Crandall would finish the match with a game-high 25 points as well as eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

Antonio Williams offered a late interjection as he tried desperately to put the team on his shoulders and close the chasm that had appeared between the two teams. He poured in 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, but all in vain.