Late drama denies Guildford

A late basket from Cameron Rundles handed Leicester a dramatic 79-77 victory over a plucky Guildford Heat at Surrey Sports Park.

Rundles topped the scores with 30 points for the Riders, who made it two from two in the Championship so far this season.

But they were pushed all the way by a rejuvenated Heat, looking to put behind them a disappointing start to the season which has now stretched to nine games without a win.

Tayo Ogedengbe top scored for the home side with 26 points, to earn him his 1000th point in the BBL, and he was ably supported by Julius Joseph (20 points) and Mike Martin (12 points).

The Riders were out the blocks quickest and led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter, before a second quarter blitz enabled the Heat to go in at half time with a seven point advantage.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the teams were tied at 53-53 apiece. The lead changed hands several times and it was only when consecutive scores from Brett Royster, Ayron Hardy and Bradd Wierzbicki were landed that a team opened up a reasonable lead, and it was the Riders by five with two on the clock.

But the Heat refused to bow down and they thought they had done enough to force over time when Julius Joseph landed a three pointer with just seconds on the clock, but they were cruelly denied by Rundles late show which continued the Riders’ recent good run of form.