The final D1M action of 2019 is complete and the year ended with a bang as Solent moved their win streak to 13 at the expense of Thames Valley after a highly entertaining contest. There were also wins for Leicester, Nottingham, Hemel and Derby.
Game of the Week
Leicester Warriors 94-85 Essex & Herts Leopards
It's not a contest that affects the top of the table but hosts Leicester were on the right side of overtime this week, as they fought off visitors Essex to bounce back from their overtime home defeat against Hemel last weekend.
It wasn’t an easy ride for Warriors, though, as after an even first quarter Essex took charge in the second leaving them with a 10-point deficit to make up.
TJ Henderson led the charge for the home side with 28 points, with Jerrell Okoro's double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds not being enough for the visitors.
A tight fourth quarter saw Leicester head into overtime for the second game in a row but they emerged victorious this time around to win a game that provided an entertaining match-up.
Elsewhere in DM1
A dominant Nottingham Hoods first half was enough to claim a 102-97 road win at bottom side Liverpool after an impressive second half from the hosts left them just short of a comeback. Demetrius Houston’s 30 did the damage, with Liverpool’s Luke Gosney and Kaphel Ulett-Waul’s 26 and 25 points respectively not being quite enough to recover from a low scoring first half.
Solent go into the Christmas break unbeaten after a 105-82 road win at third-placed Thames Valley Cavaliers. Travis Charles recorded another double-double for the visitors with 26 points and 11 rebounds to leave his side sitting pretty at the top of DM1.
Second-placed Hemel keep the pressure at the top of the standings though, thanks to their 91-75 win at home to Reading. Nicholas Richards’ 31 wasn’t enough as Michael Williams Jr hit 29 with 11 rebounds to ensure a routine win for the hosts.
A high-scoring encounter at Derby Trailblazers saw them defeat Westminster Warriors 124-91. Derby were rampant in the first half, scoring 64 points to leave Warriors with a mountain to climb. Johde Campbell notched 20 of those in red-hot second quarter and 34 overall to give Derby an early Christmas present.
3:00pm - Leicester Warriors 94-85 Essex & Herts Leopards - LIVE STATS (after 1OT)
5:00pm - Liverpool 97-102 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 82-105 Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Hemel Storm 91-75 Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS
7:15pm - Derby Trailblazers 124-91 Westminster Warriors - LIVE STATS
Up next
The NBL will return on January 4 for Week 14, with Loughborough Riders and Nottingham Hoods getting the season back underway.
Leicester Warriors host Derby Trailblazers in the battle of eighth versus seventh, Essex travel to Barking Abbey and Liverpool face a daunting task at second placed Hemel.
On Sunday January 5, unbeaten Solent head to Essex and Reading host Westminster Warriors.
Main image credit - Luke Simcock
.
.
