LEICESTER — A depleted Lancashire started the New Year spryly, but faded in the second half of a 96-83 loss at Leicester on Saturday.
The Spinners — down three forwards — received 20-point contributions from Jack Hudson, Mark Rangeley and Zion Tordoff, but they were undone by 14 turnovers, which Leicester converted into 21 points.
“You can’t allow nearly a hundred points and expect to win a lot games in this league,” said Lancashire coach Neal Hopkins. “Offensively we’ve been great, but we forgot to play defence in the second half.”
Rodney Sanders had a game high 29 points for Leicester, who had 10 different scorers. The Warriors (7-10, 5-8 National League 1) made 38 of 81 field goal attempts for 46.9 percent and only trailed once after halftime.
Leicester outrebounded Lancashire 49-44 and outscored the Spinners 44-30 inside the paint and 29-13 on bench points.
The Spinners (5-12, 4-8) used a 10-2 run over three minutes to end the second quarter to draw level at 47, but a fast start helped Leicester build a six point lead.
A technical foul allowed Rangeley to pushed Lancashire ahead 60-59 with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter before a 9-2 burst quickly restored the lead for Leicester, whose advantage never dropped below nine points.
NOTES: Tordoff has recorded double doubles in consecutive games … Finished with 10 rebounds … His 20 points were a season high … Lancashire’s largest lead was six (17-11) in the first quarter … There were six lead changes and four ties.
Allen Gunn
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