BBL Review:

Leeds Force lost their last game of 2016 as they went down in a high-scoring game at Leicester Riders.

Having already lost the series 2-0 it was about restoring some pride for the Force and they certainly did that.

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Force to take the points away from the Riders on their own patch.

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They started quickly and strongly as they matched Leicester in attack and defence as they opened a six-point lead early on thanks to triples from Jermaine Sanders and Jack Isenbarger.

Leeds were quick in attack, shooting before Leicester had a chance to get set in defence which was an effective tactic, but difficult to maintain for the full 40 minutes.

Leicester’s full-court press started to take effect late in the quarter as they strangled the Force and edged into the lead.

A late eight-point run in the final minute of the quarter gave the hosts a five-point lead at 24-19.

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In the second, the Riders used the pace in their side to their advantage as they were untouchable in transition.

The points started to dry up for the Force as they added just 10 to their score as the Riders opened up a lead of 13 at the break .

Leeds started flat in the third as they allowed the Riders to go on a 9-0 run, before coach Matt Newby reinvigorated his side with a time-out.

Sanders took the game by the scruff of the neck as he came up with seven points, coupled with two triples from Eddie Matthews.

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Leicester pushed further ahead in the last minute as they went on 7-0 run to hold a 19-point lead going into the final quarter.

The game then opened up as both sides attacked the glass. Leicester found the basket with more regularity than the Force as they saw out the game.

Sanders top-scored with 23 points as he pushed the Force up the scoreboard. Rob Marsden was the only other Leeds player to get into double figures as he added 15 points to the total.

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