Bristol, September 18, 2026 — London Lions opened their 2026–27 Super League Basketball campaign with an 80–78 victory over Bristol Flyers on the road, holding on in a tense finish to secure their first league win of the season.
Landrius Horton led the Lions with 16 points, including three three-pointers, while Devante Jones added 12 points and went six-for-six from the free-throw line. Thomas Kennedy and Deane Williams both finished with 11 points, with Williams also adding four rebounds, one assist, two steals and a block.
The game remained close early, with Bristol holding an 18–17 lead after the opening quarter. London found their rhythm in the second as Horton knocked down three-pointers and Kennedy added two finishes inside, helping the Lions build a 14-point advantage.
Bristol responded late in the half, but London took a 45–38 lead into the break.
The Flyers came out strongly in the third, with Anderson hitting from deep before Bristol tied the game at 47–47 midway through the quarter.
Kennedy answered with a hook finish, while Horton produced a difficult finish to restore the London lead. Bristol responded with two threes from Bailey, but Williams converted an and-one and Jones added a three before Williams finished on the break following a steal.
London entered the fourth ahead 63–61.
The final quarter saw the lead change hands several times. Phillip and Rai scored inside for London, while Holden kept Bristol within touching distance. Scott then hit a catch-and-shoot three, but Bailey's tough jumper put the Flyers ahead by one.
Williams responded with a hook shot before Holden hit a three with just under four minutes remaining to give Bristol the lead. Williams then delivered a powerful finish at the rim to put London ahead 75–74 with 3:29 left, forcing a Bristol timeout.
The Flyers regained the lead coming out of the timeout, with Holden then making two free throws to put Bristol ahead 78–75.
Horton answered with a three-pointer to tie the game, setting up a tense finish.
With 18.8 seconds remaining, Jones drove to the basket and was fouled, converting both free throws to put London ahead 80–78.
Bristol called timeout to set up the final possession, but Bailey's open jumper missed, allowing the Lions to close out the two-point victory.
The Lions return to action on Sunday, September 20, where they host the Newcastle Eagles at NCC Hackney. Tip-off is at 4pm as London looks to make it two wins from two to begin the SLB campaign.
