BBL: London Lions prove too strong for Cheshire Phoenix

After arriving late to the Copper Box, the Phoenix found themselves 25-15 behind at the end of the first quarter.

Tarik Phillip was the Lion to step up first this time, scoring eight points off three shots in the opening session while playing his trademark defence.

Cam Holden started out hot for the visitors, scoring seven points and trying to inject some much-needed energy into a slow Phoenix team.

But it was a very odd quarter for the Phoenix, only taking three-point attempts, and even though both teams started to score more in the second quarter, the gap remained relatively the same.

Holden continued to lead the Phoenix, finishing the first half with 13 points, while Maceo Jack added six points.

But they went 2-for-8 from beyond the arc in the second quarter as Lions went to their bench early and saw Josh Sharma score 11 points in the first half and Conner Morgan adding eight.

The hosts led 47-36 at the midway mark and were able to further capitalise after the restart, scoring another 31 points in the third quarter to pull clear.

Conor and Matt Morgan had combined for 26 points by the end of the third, as Lions led 78-58.

Cheshire were not having any luck with their well-known shooting, only going 3-for-13 by the end of the third quarter.

And Lions opted to use more of their bench in the fourth quarter to hold the game, coasting through to the buzzer.

Sharma took MVP honours with 16 points off 7-for-7 shooting to go with four rebounds and a block.

Lions host Newcastle Eagles on Monday (7.30pm), before returning to EuroCup action with a trip to Prometey Slobozhanske on Wednesday.

They beat Hamburg Towers 100-94 in Germany last week for a second successive win in this year’s competition, before the women beat Gdessa Barreiro 91-55 in their opener in Portugal.