Wednesday night promised to be a thrilling encounter when the London Lions took on the Bristol Flyers in the BBL Cup, with the Lions looking to avenge prior defeats to the Flyers.
Londoners make a statement
The Lions made a fast start to the game playing with an intensity that hasn’t been seen that often throughout the season. The quick start saw a number of shots fall for them and the Londoners slowly started to leave the Flyers in their tracks. However, the Bristol side didn’t seem to have the touch as they couldn’t get any of their shots to fall. The Lions looked to assert dominance over a weary Flyers team as the game progressed.
Excellent shooting was on display in the first half as the Lions went 10/10 at the free throw line. The start of the second quarter saw a different Flyers team come out to play, putting constant pressure on the Lions even getting within two points of the Lions. The Lions remained firm and closed the 1st half out 50-39.
Lions stars lead the way
The start of the second half saw the Lions blow the Flyers out of the water with relentless pressure and solid defense in the paint and solid shot making. The MVPs of the team put on a show for the East London crowd as Justin Robinson put up 17 points with Brandon Peel putting up 25 points. The two combined to put the Lions up by 23 points at one point.
By the end of the third quarter it was a little too late for the Flyers to stage a comeback. The game slipped away from Bristol they weren’t able to bring it back as the Lions continued to add insult to injury with great shooting from outside the paint.
Home court advantage
The game finished in a blowout win for the Lions winning 103-69. Vince Macaulay’s men looked great from start to finish hardly missing a beat. Lions captain, Joe Ikhinmwin credited the fans at the Copper Box for creating an atmosphere that inspired the team to victory.
“Great game tonight we came out with lots of energy and enthusiasm, a great home crowd and I feel like that energy really fueled us to get us in a dominant win a win that we needed.”
The reigning BBL Cup champions already have one eye on Saturday when they take on Surrey Scorchers with a winner takes all match up, with the victor advancing to the quarter finals to face the Leicester Riders.
