The Spinners’ game plan was simple: force the ball inside and make them stop us.
And Lancashire imposed its will, especially after halftime, en route to an 82-76 win at Leicester on Sunday.
Mike Bernard finished with 15 points and nine rebounds to pace five Spinners in double-figures. Kyle Carey had 13 points, Connor Murtagh and Steven Gayle added 11 each, and Mark Rangeley scored 10.
Lancashire (24-11, 15-10 NBL1), who recorded just six made field goals from outside the painted area, outscored the Warriors 54-46 inside and dominated the offensive glass with 19 rebounds.
Leon Henry had a game-high 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting and the Leicester starters combined for 72 points. But after going 16-of-34 from the floor (47.1 percent) in the first half, the Warriors shot 39 percent in the second.
An 8-2 Leicester stretch in the middle of the second quarter gave them a 39-33 lead, as the Spinners committed three turnovers whilst making just 1-of-4 attempts.
But the Warriors, who were held without a point for the remaining 3:21 of the half, were blitzed for nine-straight points.
The two combined to miss the first five shots of the third quarter before Theo Rothstein converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to tie the game at 42.
After trading baskets throughout the quarter, the Spinners jumped in front 65-55 following Carey’s made jumper with 47 seconds left.
Leicester (13-20, 10-14) drew within four with 3:40 remaining but Lancashire closed the game by outscoring the Warriors 9-7.
YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE
After George Darling made his first start of the season on Mar. 19 against Kent, Zion Tordoff made his at Leicester the following day.
“It was good to know that Coach Neal has faith and trust in me to make a start,” said Tordoff, who had five rebounds in the win. “It was a real confidence boost after having success against Kent.”
NOTES
The Spinners were 57.1 percent from 2-point range, which is the highest since shooting 62.3 versus Derby on Dec. 12. … Lancashire’s bench outscored the Warriors’ 45-4. … Every player who dressed featured for at least 15 minutes. … Murtagh played a team-high 30 minutes. … The Spinners are 10-6 on the road this season but just 3-3 over their last six. … Bernard was 7 of 13 from the floor and had a team-high 19 efficiency.
Allen Gunn
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