Leicester Riders win record-equaling third consecutive BBL Championship title
Riders secured the league title for the fourth time in six years with a convincing win
Daniel Routledge
Leicester Riders won the BBL Championship title for the third year in a row after defeating Plymouth Raiders (Image: Leicester Riders)
Leicester Riders claimed a record-equaling third consecutive BBL Championship after thrashing Plymouth Raiders 75-104 to secure the league title for the fourth time in six years.
Riders became only the third team in league history to win the title three seasons in a row, matching the Kingston Kings (1990-92) and Newcastle Eagles (2008-10).
Long before the final buzzer sounded the travelling Leicester fans were in full celebrations after a stunning third quarter, led by captain Tyler Bernardini and Harrison Gamble, sent them on their way to an easy victory.
It perhaps summed up their season that the title was secured without three key players.
Riders secured the title with 25 wins from 28 games.
Rema Lascelles in action for Leicester Riders at Plymouth Raiders (Image: Leicester Riders)
Pierre Hampton, playing against his first BBL club, carried on his fine form to edge Riders 12-8 in front.
But Plymouth, who can't make the play-offs, were keen to give their capacity crowd something to cheer about and kept on Riders' coattails for most of the first half.
Hampton gave Leicester some daylight with a 7-0 run to make it 41-32 just before half-time and though Plymouth looked to finish strong, a Bernardini triple made it 44-37 at the break.
That shot was a prelude of what was to come after the interval, Gamble hitting one as Leicester's lead moved into double-figures at the start of the second half.
Eric Robertson for Leicester Riders at Plymouth Raiders (Image: Leicester Riders)
An easy TrayVonn Wright dunk was followed by a corner three from Eric Robertson as Riders went 17 points clear and Gavin Love called a timeout to try to halt Leicester's momentum.
It didn't have any impact, however, as Gamble hit two more long range efforts and Bernardini added another three as Riders hit seven third quarter three-pointers to post a stunning 39 points in ten minutes.
The game was done.
Bernardini ended with six three-pointers for his game high 26 points, while Hampton capped an impressive shooting weekend, netting 72% of his shots for 24 points.
With five games still to go in the campaign, Riders will now have plenty of time to try to get back to full strength and get set for a play-off charge and a potential trophy treble.
For now though, they can enjoy what has been a seriously impressive title win and one which puts them up to 13 trophies and level with Kingston as the third most successful team in BBL history.
Raiders: Jarvelainen 24, Eaves 18, Bowman 11, Wells 10, Ubiaro 4, Sayers 2, Matthew 2, Djukic 2,
Neighbour 2, Gordon.
Riders: Bernardini 26, Hampton 24, Wright 16, Gamble 13, Douse 8, Lascelles 5, Ward-Hibbert 5,
Tawiah 4, Robertson 3, Tawiah, Russell.
Meanwhile, Riders made it to the WBBL Trophy Final for the second season in a row.
Kate Oliver inspired a late run to beat Sheffield Hatters 81 to 76 in the semi-final at the Morningside Arena.
Riders have now won 12 in a row in all competitions, and have made it four straight wins over the Hatters.
At the end of the third quarter Leicester held a narrow lead of 58 to 56.
With the game tied at 61 with eight minutes to play, Oliver changed the momentum, as she hit a three-pointer that sparked a run of 10 unanswered points.
Next week's final at the Cheshire Oaks Arena will be against the Sevenoaks Suns in a repeat of the 2017 WBBL Trophy Final. The Suns defeated Caledonia Pride 77 to 41 in the other semi-final.
Leicester City FCBurnley v Leicester City live – Updates from Premier League clash as Ben Chilwell left outPremier League matchday live | Brendan Rodgers' side head to Turf Moor hoping to bounce back from the surprise defeat to Southampton at the King Power Stadium last time out
Leicester City FC'Day of disaster' – When Leicester City were affected by high winds and a hotel roofThirteen years ago, Leicester City's Championship clash with Birmingham City was postponed after adverse weather hit the county
Leicester City FCLeicester City transfer news live - Newcastle want Choudhury, James Maddison & Man Utd updateAll the latest rumours from the King Power Stadium as Brendan Rodgers' side continue their hunt for a centre-back and try to keep hold of their top players this month
Leicester City FCFresh twist in Jarrod Bowen transfer saga as Hull City boss addresses future of Leicester City 'target'Leicester City news | The Foxes have long since been linked with a move for the in-demand winger
Leicester City FCLatest Premier League 'supercomputer' prediction has good news for Leicester City & Liverpool fansPremier League title race looks all-but over and while Brendan Rodgers' men were briefly challenging the Anfield side at the top of the table they look set for a Champions League spot
Dream HomesRightmove is selling a seven-bedroom farm house with 18 ACRES of land - for £2.7mThere's even an indoor swimming pool
Leicester City FCWhy Ben Chilwell & Hamza Choudhury aren't in Leicester City's squad for Burnley clash
Leicester City team news | Brendan Rodgers has explained why the pair are missing from the matchday squad for the Premier League clash at Turf Moor this afternoon