DeAndre Liggins was a walking bucket against the Sharks, notching 32 points. The shooting guard also added seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to his already impressive game to help the Lions to their first win of this season.
Sharks star Nick Lewis got into foul trouble early and fouled out in the fourth with 0 points
The Lions aimed to atone for their shaky start to the season playing like a side looking to prove a point to the rest of the league that yes in fact they’re still reigning champions. Dirk Williams and Liggins propelled the Lions into the lead 29-18 after the first.
Similar momentum caused an early timeout from the Sheffield Sharks coach, Atiba Lyons in the second quarter, as Lions looked to extend. The Lions were running the show, half-way through the second quarter, their defense was proving too hard to crack for Sharks Antwon Lillard.
Dagger
Just before halftime, a good passage of play saw Lillard get an and-one play to make it 49-34, reminding the Lions that this game was very much from over. Liggins answered back with a dagger from three right at the buzzer as he finished the first half with 15 points giving his team a 55-36 lead.
The Lions did what they’ve been known to do, make scoring look easy although it hasn’t been seen in the last couple of games. The lions were beginning to find their rhythm again heading into the third quarter.
The third quarter started off shaky for the Lions, with constant mistakes allowing the Sharks back in the game and cutting the lead to nine points from a Mike Tuck three-point shot to finish the third, 72-63.
Struggles
Williams’ struggles from the free-throw line looked concerning during the third but did not cost his team the lead at that point in the game.
By the end of the fourth, the Sharks were unable to make up the deficit despite the quietly good game from Small Forward Lillard who finished the game with 16 points and nine rebounds as Lions ran out the clock and came out victorious, 88-73.
The small-ball lineup saw Justin Robinson lead with his consistency in knocking down mid-range shots and three-pointers while Liggins ran through his opponents and brought home the win for the London team.
