The First Play-Off Semi-Finalist Confirmed!

Leicester Riders became the first team to secure a semi-final spot in the 2012/13 play-offs with a double win against London Lions. Riders who have already secured the BBL Title and BBL Trophy are looking to add a play-off success to their trophy haul.

The Riders won 73 - 61 against the Lions following the two-legged clash between the 1st and 8th seeds in the BBL championship.

Anthony Rowe top scored in Leicester hitting 24 with team-mate Drew Sullivan getting 23 of his own.

That gave the Riders a 12 point lead on the night and a 14 point aggregate lead - with an overall 143-129 win.

Riders managed a 2 point victory at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre winning 70-68 in front of a capacity crowd with Jay Couisnard hitting 17 to lead the Riders' scoring.

They would face a swift turn-around with the second leg of the play-off being the day after at the John Sandford Centre.

Riders win 73-61 and advance to the semi-final next weekend!!! #BBLplayoffs #riderup
— Leicester Riders (@RidersBball) April 13, 2013

Riders started strongly winning the first quarter 19-15 to give them an overall lead of six points against the Lions.

The second was slightly closer with London equalling Leicester's 16 points to leave the score at 35-31 at the break.

The London Lions pushed Leicester Riders in the third but Riders were displaying their championship winning quality and won the third quarter by one point; 15-14.

The fourth saw Leicester extend their lead getting 8-2 up early in the quarter and eventually won the quarter

The Leicester Riders look forward to the play-off semi-finals meanwhile, the London Lions will look ahead to the 2013/14 season at the Copperbox.

Great effort… but it wasn't to be.Lions lose 73-61 and are out of the #BBLplayoffs.
— London Lions (@London_Lions) April 13, 2013

*Photo is from Here.