Lowly Force slump to big home defeat
Force raced into an early lead through a pair of scintillating spinning finishes from Allie Fullah and Tre Bennett, as Leeds looked to dish out some instant payback following a last-gasp defeat in Cheshire a week ago.
Leeds’ early momentum was snatched away following Raheem May-Thompson’s emphatic steal and slam, as Phoenix gradually began to assert themselves.
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Hide AdDynamic American duo Bennett and Tavarion Nix combined to unlock the Cheshire defence before home debutant Rafail Tsourakis threw down a ferocious put-back dunk to power Force into a strong seven-point advantage.
All three new signings electrified a buoyant home crowd with Chris De Souza’s defence-splitting bounce pass threading through Obi Kyei before Tsourakis converted a long-range triple to end the opening 10 minutes.
A quick-fire nine-point salvo to open the second quarter saw the fiery Phoenix punish the faltering Force before Tsourakis’ long-range treble breathed life into Force’s hopes of charging back into contention, before a vital six-point spurt from CJ Gettys marched Phoenix into a double-digit half-time lead.
Force powered into the second half with a spectacular treble from Eric Curth, before a flurry of points from GB international Orlan Jackman and the unstoppable Gettys ballooned Cheshire’s lead to a towering 20 points.
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Hide AdSmelling blood, Phoenix continued to lay siege to the Leeds basket with Gettys single-handedly battering the lifeless Leeds into third quarter submission.
Refusing to give in, Nix carved Cheshire apart and despite a sea of triples from the hard-charging Tsourakis, a disastrous defensive effort saw Gettys and ex-Force threat Rob Sandoval ruthlessly punish the hesitant Force as Leeds ended their three-game series against Cheshire with a whimper.