Durham Wildcats played host to reigning BBL league and play-off champions Leicester Riders on Sunday afternoon at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
The game began at a frantic pace with both teams trading baskets in a closely fought first quarter that the visitors edged by just one point.
Durham had never previously beaten the Riders, the most established of the 12 BBL franchises. So when the Wildcats opened a double digit lead half way through the second period, it looked like Coach Davies and his team could have been on to something very special. Leicester grabbed the final score of the half reducing the home team’s advantage to 8.
Coach Paternostro and his Riders team have only lost one game this season, and when they made four quick baskets in the opening minutes of the third quarter, they looked much more like the team that lifter three of the available four BBL trophy’s last season. Leicester outscored the home team 30 points to 11 in a devastating third quarter to take control the game heading into the last period.
Durham fought hard in the final 10 minutes with Devin Ginty taking his tally to 15 points for the afternoon and Danny Huffor contributing a number of baskets to take his figure to 14. Leicester however showed their experience to close out the game and take the points back to the East Midlands, final score, Wildcats 58 – Riders 75.
Speaking immediately after the game, Coach Lee Davie reflected on a tough afternoon, “It was a disappointing final score for us. We were in control of the game going into the half-time break but came out flat in the third and stopped executing our game plan.
We lost our focus and that was most definitely the turning point. We had to manage some injuries before and during the game which didn’t help matters, but I can’t take anything away from Leicester, there is a reason they are the number one side in Britain right now.”
The attention of Davie and his team now turns to next weekend’s clash with Birmingham Knights; “We have a full week now to prepare and iron out any issues ahead of Birmingham. It was disappointing to lose our home unbeaten record against Leicester, but we are determined to get back to winning ways in front of our home fans next weekend.
Birmingham will provide another a tough opposition, they have a lot of home grown talent but we are determined to make things right on Sunday.
Durham Wildcats host Birmingham Knights on Sunday 10th November – tip off 4pm.  Tickets on sale now and can be purchaed online at www.godurhamwildcats.com .