Mark Ferguson reports on a Lions triumph…
Zaire Taylor was in inspired form against his former side Worcester Wolves as he scored 41 points to send London Lions into the BBL Play-Off Semi-Finals with an emphatic 106-67 win.
The Lions overcame a five-point deficit in the first leg, as the Wolves could not handle the attacking prowess of Taylor and Makal Stibbins.
Taylor led Worcester to play-off success last season and was named BBL Play-off Final MVP with the Wolves.
He proved to be just as influential in the dethroning of his former side, hitting seven out of 11 from three-point range.
The Lions were in control from the early stages with Taylor scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Emphatic dunks from Drew Sullivan and Stibbins made it 24-16 at the end of the opening period, giving the home side an eight-point advantage on the night.
Despite their best efforts to claw their way back into the game, Worcester couldn’t reduce the deficit to less than 11 points. Taylor looked unstoppable as he finished the half with 24 points.
Worcester were powerless to resist a third-quarter onslaught from the Lions as they outscored the Wolves 30-10.
The east London side were well in control and Sullivan, another former MVP, enjoyed a fine evening for the Lions, hitting 22 points.
Everything clicked into place on the night for the Lions, but the same can’t be said for their opponents who committed 16 turnovers throughout the game.
The Lions cruised past the Wolves in the end, winning by 44 points on aggregate to set up a semi-final meeting with Cheshire Phoenix.
London will begin their quest for the final at home on Friday May 1 with the return leg to be played at Cheshire two days later.