London, Friday 30 October 2026 — London Lions extended their unbeaten start to the SLB Championship season, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Sheffield Sharks 85-76 at New City College Hackney on Friday night and move to 8-0.
Maxwell Lewis III led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 4/6 from three-point range, while Devante Jones added 12 points and eight assists. Thomas Kennedy and Ethan Price contributed 10 points apiece, with Deane Williams and Landrius Horton adding nine each as the Lions produced a strong second-half response to secure the win.
Sheffield made a flying start, taking advantage of early opportunities to build a 31-15 lead after the opening quarter.
The Lions struggled to find their rhythm early, but began to settle into the contest in the second, with Morayo Soluade creating opportunities for Price and Joshua O'Garro, who added a strong finish at the rim.
A three-pointer from Lewis brought the deficit down to three before Williams connected from the corner to level the game at 43.
The sides went into the break tied at 45.
The contest remained close after the restart, with Sheffield continuing to find answers through its backcourt. Lu’Cye Patterson's scoring helped the Sharks maintain pressure, but the Lions continued to battle.
Williams attacked the basket before Soluade found Price in transition for a dunk, helping London stay within reach. Jones converted twice from the free-throw line late in the quarter to bring the game level at 60 heading into the final period.
The Lions took control early in the fourth, opening with a three-pointer from Price before Joel Scott finished inside to give London a five-point advantage.
The momentum continued as Joshua O'Garro and Price connected from beyond the arc, extending the lead to 71-62 and forcing a Sheffield timeout with 6:38 remaining.
Sheffield attempted to respond through Maceo Jack, but the Lions maintained their composure down the stretch. Lewis took over offensively, knocking down a corner three following a pass from Kennedy before adding a powerful finish at the rim.
Jones then found Lewis for another three-pointer, as the Lions continued to create quality opportunities and close out the 85-76 victory.
Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis reflected on the team's slow start and the response that followed.
“The second, third, and fourth quarter we played our basketball, the problem was our first quarter. We came in not thinking that we needed to show up today.”
On the Lions' approach to wearing down their opponents and finding opportunities through their defence, Sabonis said:
“Wearing the team down, putting them into physical battles, then we see a little bit of an opening, start attacking, and guess what, when you play defense, shots fall.”
The Lions now move to 8-0 in the SLB Championship, maintaining their unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.
London now turns its attention back to EuroCup action, travelling to Italy to face Maxima Roma on Wednesday.
