London Lions 107 Leeds Force 56: The misery continues for Force despite Brownell's poise

Leeds Force slumped to a 21st straight BBL defeat of a disastrous campaign, suffering a 107-56 thrashing against London Lions, WRITES SEB GIGNER.
George Brownell led the Force in London. (Picture: Chris Etchells)George Brownell led the Force in London. (Picture: Chris Etchells)
George Brownell led the Force in London. (Picture: Chris Etchells)

An inspired opening saw the struggling Force emphatically respond to coach Danny Nelson’s midweek rallying cry – bursting from the gates off the back of George Brownell’s treble and a tough finish from close-range by Kosovan international Gazmend Sinani.

Sinani continued to test a vulnerable London defence in the early exchanges, pouring in three consecutive baskets as Force went toe-to-toe with the Lions in a frantic opening-quarter.

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A timely momentum shift inevitably saw the top-five-chasing Lions reveal their offensive flair as Brandon Peel and new signing Jerelle Okoro led the charge and powered London into a seven-point advantage as the first period drew to a close.

Force continued to battle bravely in the second segment as Leeds clung to London’s coat-tails, closing to within touching distance as the electric Brownell converted a second triple of the night.

Leeds’ resolve soon snapped however 15 minutes into the contest, as London ramped up the pressure and strode clear of the faltering Force with a flurry of quick-fire baskets.

A sizable 15-point swing saw London shake off their shackles and clinically dispatch Force to put the game’s result beyond much doubt. American star Brandon Peel and British marksman Dzaflo Larkai led the charge and fired the Lions into a commanding 23-point half-time advantage.

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The flood-gates opened in the second half as London sliced apart Leeds’ typically porous defence – ruthlessly cutting Force to ribbons with an endless attacking onslaught in a one-sided third period.

A valiant offensive effort from Sinani and Brownell wasn’t enough to keep the road team competitive, as London conjured up memories of their 49-point dismantling of Leeds on Force’s previous visit to the capital in October.

Jonathan Thompson’s reverberating slam dunk and a sensational spinning finish from the fiery Peel capped a dominant fourth quarter as the hapless Leeds crashed to a 25th defeat of a miserable campaign.