Raiders rout Cougars

Coach Leon Noel said: “This was a great win for the guys today. Cambridge are a very savvy and well-drilled team and were always going to be tough opponents.

“After a tough away loss in our last game and a slow start to this contest I was extremely pleased with the guys’ second half performance today. It was a great way to bounce back and consistency is now the focus going forward.”

Having suffered a tough loss at Herts Warriors last time out, Raiders bounced back in style.

Uncharacteristically, Circus got off to a slow start and, although they scored with ease, defensively they were off the pace as they trailed 25-24 at the end of the first quarter.

Efficient Cambridge maintained their advantage in the second quarter as the sides matched each other basket-for-basket as Cougars led 44-43 at half time.

Raiders came out for the third period all guns blazing as Noel extended the Raiders defence to full court pressure in an attempt to disrupt Cougars’ rhythm.

A rattled Cambridge team subsequently became rushed and began turning the ball over regularly as Raiders capitalised.

This huge momentum swing pretty much decided the contest. Vivian Lee led from the front and ignited his team-mates with his energy and intensity while reeling off 14 points in the third quarter alone as Raiders went 71-54 up.

The Cougars tried to respond in the fourth but it was too little, too late, as Raiders’ deeper squad rotated and fresh legs helped them to maintain their high pressure defence.

Top Scorers: Vivian Lee 37, Gytis Sabaliauskas 12, Nelson Kasosera 11, Ryan Konto 9, Trey Hall 9.