20th February 2008 Guildford Heat 110-97 Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders

BBL Championship Match Preview

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The Guildford Heat strengthened their position in second place in the BBL Championship, whilst extending their winning run to four games in the league, as they beat the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 110-97 at The Spectrum.

Tony Dorsey had another big game with 26 points and 12 rebounds, whilst fellow forward Mike Martin added 23 and EJ Harrison scored 20. Steve Vear posted his highest-scoring game in the BBL with 19 points for the Riders.

After the home side opened the game with the first 5 points, the Riders hit back to take their only lead of the game at 9-7 after 4 points from Terrence Woodyard. It didn't last long as the reigning league champions responded with a 15-2 burst, including 5 for Dorsey, to take a commanding first quarter lead.

That was extended in the second stanza as the Heat notched a further 17-5 run and went into the locker rooms 60-34 to the good.

The teams traded baskets in a high-scoring and high-tempo third quarter. Then, with 2.00 remaining, the Riders scored 11 unanswered points, 5 from former Heat player Rod Wellington on his way to 13 in the quarter and two three-pointers from Vear, as they narrowed the gap to 85-71.

The visitors followed that up with an 8-2 tear to open the fourth period that was capped by a further Vear triple, to make the score 90-79. However, EJ Harrison scored 6 points as the Heat settled the game with a 12-3 surge to stretch the lead to 102-82. The Riders finished strongly behind 6 points from Carlos White, but could get no closer than 11 before Mike Martin put the icing on the cake with a thunderous dunk with 12 seconds remaining.

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Stats Corner: Heat Riders

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