BBL: Leicester Riders clinch regular season title

Leicester Riders secured their first-ever BBL Championship regular-season title on Saturday after recording a 93-70 win over Durham Wildcats.

A 15th successive win ensured they cannot be toppled from top spot with nearest challengers Newcastle Eagles eight points adrift in second.

The Riders were on top from start to finish, Anthony Rowe leading the way with 15 points while five of his team-mates also got into double figures.

The Wildcats’ Andrew Keister was top-scorer in the game with 16 but his side finished a long way back.

Riders coach Rob Paternostro was absolutely delighted with the securing the title. “It has been a long time coming, but my hat is off to this Rider’s team.

“They have been just brilliant.”

“To win a BBL Championship requires a relentlessness and a focus, and we have been blessed with guys who have that in abundance.

The Coach refused to be pressured on who was his star player, claiming every member of the squad had made big contributions this season.

“We have never let up on the defensive end, and I think that has been what has guided us through. It would be wrong for me to pick out any player – everyone of the squad has made big contributions at times this season, and this season has been one huge team effort.”