London Lions get off the mark

The visitors tried desperately to get back level, but a foul on Nuno Pedroso sent the Lions to the line, and Pedroso held his nerve to bag both of his foul shots to hand the home side the victory.

Earlier in the game, both sides trading baskets, it was the home side who made the first break of the game with an 8-2 burst to take the score out to 20-12 midway through the opening period, but the Heat closed out the quarter in impressive fashion as they rattled off a 10-2 tear to tie the game up at 22-22 at the end of the opening period.

In the second quarter, the Lions came out all guns blazing as an Orlan Jackman three-pointer to open the scoring in the period sparked an impressive 14-2 start to take the score out 36-24 after just three minutes.  The shell-shocked Heat needed a time-out, and came out of it with purpose as they bagged the next eight points to reduce the deficit to just four points at 36-32 with five minutes remaining in the quarter.  The remainder of the period saw both sides trading baskets, but the Lions were able to maintain their advantage throughout the closing stages and headed into the locker rooms leading 46-40 at the half.

In the second half, both sides traded baskets throughout the majority of the third quarter and three free-throws from Jordan Spencer extended their lead to eight points at 68-60 with 24 seconds remaining, but a Martelle McLemore basket followed by a three-pointer from Caylin Raftopoulos trimmed the deficit back to three points at 68-65 heading into the final stanza.

In the final period, both sides traded baskets throughout much of the quarter with the Lions keeping their noses in front, but the Heat were able to stay in touch with their hosts and a pair of Julius Joseph free-throws gave the visitors a single point lead at 78-79 with just under four minutes remaining.  That was the last time that the Heat would lead in the contest as the Lions got themselves back in front before the fireworks of the closing stages occurred.

Tayo Ogedengbe (pictured) led all scorers in the contest with 27 points for the Lions in the victory, while Chavis Holmes led the scoring for the Heat with 24 points personal.

Photos – Basketball Views

Story – BBL