Match report: London Lions 90 Sheffield Sharks 84

Skipper Mike Tuck was excellent for the Sharks in defeat in London

Excellent performances from Brandon Hogg and Mike Tuck were not enough for Sheffield as four London players scored more than 15 points apiece to hand the Sharks their first defeat of 2016.

There was little to separate the sides in the early stages as both teams traded baskets.

A Colin Sing tip-in for Sharks made the score 13-13 after six minutes of play.

Neither side had more than a one score lead throughout the entire period as the tightly contested first quarter ended 18-18.

London put their foot down to start the second quarter, converting multiple and-ones to open up a 32-22 lead.

Seven straight points from Sharks forward TJ Robinson quickly followed however to cut the lead to just two points.

The half eventually finished 47-42 in favour of the Lions.

Captain Tuck scored four straight points for Sheffield to get the second half going but despite twice reducing London’s lead to two points, the Sharks could not get themselves on level terms.

The Lions then tried to pull away once more when Watt made the lead 59-52.

Three quick turnovers from the home team however handed the initiative back to the visitors, allowing the brilliant Tuck to grab his 21st and 22nd points as the quarter ended with Lions up 68-60.

The Sharks produced a quick 5-0 run to start the fourth but again could not maintain their momentum as four points from Nick Lewis kept Lions up by seven.

Hogg was everywhere for Sheffield in the fourth quarter, producing points, rebounds, steals and assists as the Sharks tried to mount a comeback.

The comeback was short-lived though as a Lewis three and two Watt putbacks gave Lions a 83-73 lead.

Despite a late flurry, the Sharks could not catch up, eventually suffering a tough defeat.