HIGHLIGHTS: BRISTOL FLYERS 96-79 LEEDS FORCE

HIGHLIGHTS: BRISTOL FLYERS 96-79 LEEDS FORCE

HIGHLIGHTS: BRISTOL FLYERS 96-79 LEEDS FORCE

HIGHLIGHTS: BRISTOL FLYERS 96-79 LEEDS FORCE

Friday, December 9th, 2016

Aaron Cosby marked his home debut with a huge performance to help Flyers to a 96-79 win over Leeds Force at the WISE Arena.

Cosby ended the game with 28 points from 24 minutes of action.

Flyers came into their final home game of the year hoping to put their early season troubles behind them. Bristol went straight to work with a swift bucket from Greg Streete, on his way to 50% shooting for the period, directly under the basket.

Flyers started with aggressive defence choking the visitors' offence, forcing two straight turnovers leading to open scores for the home side.

Bristol built an early lead off aggressive defence and their strong inside presence, with Leslee Smith scoring on his favoured deep low post position. But both squads were guilty of sloppy turnovers for a stretch in the middle of the first, thus halting their respective offences.

Flyers' attack was ignited briefly as Aaron Cosby came off a screen and hit a quick three pointer to give the Bristol a slender lead. The home team held the lead going into the break 27-20.

The second quarter began at a furious pace with Hameed Ali scoring a short two-pointer in the lane, Cosby splitting the defence on a drive and a fingeroll, followed by another Ali jumpshot at the top of the key.

Flyers continued the offensive flurry as Daniel Edozie charged out on a fast break for the one-handed dunk. But Leeds came straight back behind back-to-back Robert Marsden hook shots deep in the paint.

Flyers held a nine point lead in the middle of the second quarter, until Force's Jermaine Sanders converted And-1 to close the gap. Forcing his team back into the game, Sanders bullied his way to 13 first half points. This was matched by a converted And-1 by Cosby, followed by an Edozie spin move on the base-line for the lay-up.

Edozie's ten first half points, on 100% shooting for the game, gave the home squad a nine point cushion. But Bristol's run was stopped as Robert Sandoval found the slightest bit of room for an open three-pointer, followed by another quick score by the visitors' Clayfell Harris.

The teams headed into the break 49-42. A quick getbuzzing bar as a snack and back into the game.

Leeds looked to go inside with Marsden scoring the quick hook shot. Flyers turned it on defensively putting a strangle hold on the Force attack. Bristol's defence gave way to two breakaway slam dunks.

The home team weren't finished there, as Ali scored a short jump shot in the paint to give Bristol a 15-point lead. Flyers defence continued to excel as they forced a 24 second short clock violation and followed by two steals. Leeds tried to increase their defensive intensity, this was countered by a Brandon Boggs two-handed dunk in traffic.

Bristol's offence was firing on all cylinders as their lead ballooned briefly to 25 points before Leeds went on a short run to close the third 78-58.

Flyers stormed into the fourth quarter attacking the visitor's defence, drawing four early fouls and converting at the line to add to their double digit cushion. Though Bristol would see three straight drives from Leeds' Disraeli Lufadeju for eight quick points to cut into the home team's lead.

Force's offensive success fuelled their defensive pressure coming up with a few turnovers, getting extra possession and converting them for extra points. Within a flash Leeds had put together a fourth quarter push to cut their deficit to 14 points. Though the visitors gave Bristol a scare in the final period, Flyers put the game to bed 96-79.

Solsoft Player of the Game: Aaron Cosby

A huge congratulations from the getbuzzing team and good luck with the season!

 

For the games highlights:

http://www.bristolflyers.co.uk/news/highlights-bristol-flyers-96-79-leeds-force/

Buy Now!

Shop the story