22nd Sept, 2007 Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders vs. Team Birmingham Panthers

Game details:-

Venue: The John Sandford Centre

Competition:- BBL Championship

Quarterscores:- 30-14, 49-42, 69-60, 101-79

Overtime periods:-

Final result:- 101-79

Officials:- Dale Aitcheson, Neil Wilkinson, Steve Wheatcroft

Top Scorers:

Riders: Janiska 25, Wellington 18, McKnight 17

Panthers: Popoola 15, A Williams 14, Wright/Sandel 12

vs.

The Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders got off to a winning start for the first time since 1995 with a 101-79 victory over their Midlands rivals, Team Birmingham Panthers at the John Sanford Centre on Saturday evening.

An explosive start from the home side saw them stretch out to an early lead off the back of a

15-2 run to open the game. They continued to extend their lead throughout the second quarter, but the visitors were not to be outdone as a 16-0 run midway through the period bought the score back to 39-36, but the Riders replied with a 10-2 burst of their own to take the score out to 49-38.

The second half saw both sides trading baskets in a tight third period, which saw the Riders maintain a slender nine-point advantage at 69-60 going into the final stanza. In the final quarter, the Riders broke the game open with a 17-5 burst midway through the quarter, including 5 three-pointers to take the score out to 90-69, and the Riders held on for the comfortable victory.

Mindaugas Janiska led all scorers in the game with an impressive 25 point haul on his debut for the Riders, while Lekan Popoola (pictured) led the Panthers scoring with 15.