No respite as poor Force are thrashed

Determined to stage an upset against the champions, Leeds leapt out of the gates with a rapid seven-point spurt from American star Tavarion Nix and lethal long-range threat Eric Curth.

The disciplined Riders responded in perfect fashion, laying siege to the Force basket with a devastating trio of triples – enough to earn Leicester a lofty double-digit lead.

With the league leaders perhaps expecting the flustered Force to give in, Leeds instead valiantly clung to Leicester’s coat-tails throughout the opening 10 minutes. Nix’s stunning rejection of Rema Lascelles – brother of Newcastle United captain Jamaal – at the rim propelled Leeds to a strong first quarter finish.

Leicester mercilessly ramped up the tempo to begin a one-sided second period. Riders captain Tyler Bernardini lived up to his label as one of the league’s premier threats, leading Leicester’s charge by raining a spectacular seven trebles in quick succession.

On the ropes once more with Leicester protecting a 20-point advantage, Curth’s five-point salvo offered Leeds a lifeline, but a hammering TrayVonn Wright slam and Eric Robertson’s buzzer-beating three to end the half left Leicester well in the ascendancy heading into half-time.

An energetic third period saw Curth and Nix mount an early assault on the Leicester basket, only for the fiery Bernardini to continue his scintillating shooting streak into the second-half as Riders rode into the distance with an ever-extending lead.

Elusive force Tre Bennett’s sensational solo finish and the electric Curth’s sustained scoring kept Leeds motoring as the third quarter came to a close. As Bernardini’s momentum finally began to fade in the final quarter, Wright picked up the mantle late on with a trio of soaring slams – enough to lead Leicester over the line as the spirited Leeds crashed out at the first hurdle.