LIONS FALL TO LEICESTER

London, Friday 6 November 2026 – London Lions fell 97–76 to Leicester Riders at NCC Hackney on Friday night, as the visitors pulled away in the second half to secure a Championship victory.

Thomas Kennedy led the Lions with 20 points on 8-12 shooting, while Joshua O’Garro added 10 points and four rebounds. Ethan Price contributed nine points, including two three-pointers, and Deane Williams collected seven rebounds.

Bernard Pelote led Leicester with a game-high 33 points, while Jaylon White added 27 points and six assists.

The Lions scored their opening three points from the free-throw line before O’Garro finished at the rim in response to Leicester’s early scoring. Kennedy linked up with Devante Jones for an inside finish, while Williams added a basket off the roll.

The teams traded baskets throughout the opening period. Joel Scott scored inside, and Tarik Phillip crossed over his defender before finishing at the basket. 

Maxwell Lewis Jr. added a late step-back three-pointer to help the Lions take a 22–20 lead into the second quarter.

Leicester moved ahead from the free-throw line early in the second, but Price responded from beyond the arc. 

White then helped the visitors build a six-point advantage, forcing a Lions timeout with Leicester leading 36–30.

Kennedy cut the deficit with a transition dunk before O’Garro’s offensive rebound and put-back briefly restored London’s lead late in the half. Kennedy added a reverse finish, but Julian Mackey’s deep three-pointer in the closing seconds sent Leicester into the break ahead 41–39.

The third quarter proved decisive. Price briefly put the Lions back in front with a three-pointer, but Leicester responded through Callum Lawson and Pelote. A three-pointer from Deante Johnson extended the visitors’ lead to 11.

Kennedy provided a response with an offensive rebound and put-back, drawing a foul for an and-one opportunity. He added another inside finish to narrow the gap, while Scott contributed from the free-throw line before setting up a dunk for Kennedy.

Leicester continued to find answers offensively, however, and took a 70–57 lead into the fourth quarter.

The visitors maintained control in the closing period. Lawson added a dunk, while further second-chance scoring helped Leicester extend their advantage.

Kennedy and O’Garro continued to score inside for the Lions. Lewis Jr. knocked down a deep three-pointer before attacking the paint for another basket, but White and Pelote kept Leicester’s offence moving with further perimeter scoring.

The visitors stretched their lead to 23 points before closing out the 97–76 victory.

Leicester shot 50% from the field and recorded 16 second chance points, leaving the Lions unable to recover despite Kennedy’s 20-point performance.

London Lions return to EuroCup action on Tuesday, hosting Umana Reyer Venezia at the Copper Box Arena.