Game Report: Leicester Riders 81-87 Bristol Flyers

Brad Greene ended 2023 by toppling a club record to help the Bristol Flyers score a vital road win over the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.

Greene pulled down 14 offensive rebounds – 17 in total – along with 19 points as the Flyers edged out the Riders 87-81 at the Morningside Arena on Friday.

Making his first start for Leicester, Teddy Allen led them with 17.

Starting Five:

Leicester Riders starting five: Kimbal Mackenzie, Miryne Thomas, Teddy Allen, Mo Walker, Jaren Holmes
Bristol Flyers starting five: Tejon Lucas, CJ Jackson, Raphell Thomas-Edwards, Rowell Graham-Bell, Brad Greene

First Half

With Leicester inserting Teddy Allen into the starting line-up, it was a case of how he will adjust following playing his first two games off the bench.

To begin with, the Flyers were brighter, creating separation with a 6-0 lead until Allen responded with five quick points for the hosts.

And with just over four minutes played in the first, a dunk from Mo Walker handed the Riders their first lead of the game.

It was a scrappy first ten minutes, with Bristol holding on to a 17-15 advantage until the Riders flew out the gates emphatically with 14 points in under four minutes to sprint to a 31-23 lead.

The visitors recovered from their slow start to the second as they attacked the Riders’ frontline, gaining opportunities at the foul line and narrowing Leicester’s lead to 31-29 with just over three minutes left.

However, Bristol’s Achilles heel in the first half was their three-point shooting.

With Plymouth the only team shooting a lower percentage from deep than the Flyers, it was always a tough ask for them to go toe-to-toe with the Riders.

Bristol’s cause wasn’t helped in the first half, going 0/8 from three-point land with Riders 6/15, helping the latter establish a 38-33 cushion.

Second Half

Despite Greene getting his double-double early in the third, the Riders were feeling it, stretching their lead to eight thanks to a three from Allen.

But eight quick points from Trejon Jacob, who was quiet in the first half, brought Bristol back into the game.

Greene was once again in on the act as he reduced Leicester’s lead to 50-49 before Kimbal Mackenzie slotted home a mid-range jumper.

Bristol’s persistence paid off as their three-point accuracy vastly improved and a circus triple from Jacob gave his side a 55-54 lead with a little over three minutes left.

Led by 16 third quarter points from Jacob, it was a solid ten minutes for the visitors, capped by a lay-up by Kedrian Johnson as time expired to give Bristol a 64-60 lead.

For all the good work Bristol put in on the third was wiped out to start the fourth as a 9-2 start from the hosts, led by Jalen Holmes gave Leicester the lead again.

But Bristol were not done, as a 9-0 run, highlighted by a triple at the top from Kedrian Johnson gave the Flyers lift-off at 78-71 with three minutes left.

Mackenzie looked to take the initiative but with Greene eclipsing the Bristol Flyers’ all-time offensive rebounding record, pulling down his 11th and 12th in quick succession, beating the previous mark of 10 and getting clutch scores, the visitors were smiling.

Player of the Game

Brad Greene was consistent all-game long and another monster double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds solidified that.