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It was thanks to a lightning start for the London Lions as they blew away the Cheshire Phoenix at the Copper Box
Another big game from Isaiah Reese saw Lions roar to a 99-62 victory against Cheshire Phoenix at the Copper Box on Friday.
Reese drained six of his seven three-pointers on the way to a 26 point, seven assist night as Lions gained revenge for their BBL Trophy final defeat in style.
There was also a huge performance from teenager Bradley Kaboza as he recorded a BBL-career high 20 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and as many steals while Kylor Kelley came off the bench to finish with 14 points, nine rebounds and six big blocks. Lorenzo Cugini also finished in double figures with 11 points as Lions dominated in front of a big crowd. Larry Austin’s 15-point, ten rebound double-double led a Cheshire team who could still meet the Lions in the play-offs quarter-final.
Triples from Cugini and Ryan Martin gave Lions a good start and a second Cugini trey saw the hosts lead 13-6 after four minutes. Five straight Reese points kept Lions ahead and the American guard hit a nice turnaround jumper to send the hosts into the first break 24-15 ahead.
Kaboza drained from downtown to give Lions a double-digit lead with the opening score of the second period and triples from Reese and Cugini made it a 16-point game after four minutes.
Julian Washburn’s bucket extended that lead and although Phoenix answered with a 6-0 run Chris Tawiah converted with a lay-up to keep Lions ahead by 13 and a pair of Washburn basket sent Lions into the locker room with a 48-32 lead.
Martin and Teddy Okerearfor exchanged triples to open the second half before Reese got hot with three straight scores from the Land of Plenty to give London a 60-44 lead midway through the third period.
Kaboza joined in the fun from downtown with a pair of threes before Kelley’s alley-oop off Reese’s assist got the crowd on their feet and gave his team a 72-49 lead at the final break.
Austin hit a pair of lay-ups to open the fourth period but a Will Neighbour triple ended any thoughts of a comeback and treys from Kaboza and Reese made it a 25-point game with four minutes gone.
Kelley added another dunk to his collection and Kaboza kept his big night going with a pair of baskets before Kelley wrapped up the win to send the crowd home happy.
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