British Basketball League: London Lions 91 Leeds Force 65

Sporting a new kit, London Lions proved that they were as stylish in their attire as they are in their basketball, dispensing Leeds Force by 26 points and extending their perfect start to six games.

It was a real team performance, with Alex Owumi and Rashad Hassan joining forces to score 45 points between them, converting an astonishing 17 of their 24 attempts.

It was a tale of two halves for the duo, with Owumi dominating the first block – scoring 19 of his points, while Hassan sat out much of that time in foul trouble.

The Lions started the game uncharacteristically slowly, having the better of the steals and turnovers, but struggling with their shooting.

By the time Hassan had chalked up his two early fouls half way through the first quarter, the Lions were six points behind Leeds and letting the frustration show.

Three-point shots from Owumi and Joe Ikhinmwin brought the Lions right back in the game.

A needless foul on Zaire Taylor — who was shooting the ball on the buzzer from way downtown — earned the Lions three free throws at the end of the first quarter.

Taylor converted two, to give the Lions the lead and a much needed confidence boost.

The second quarter started much as the previous had finished. Ikhinmwin nailed two early threes, to which Owumi soon added.

Matt Newby had seen enough and angrily called time out for the Force, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lions ended the half with a comfortable 46-31 lead.

The second half was to see the Lions at their best, with Hassan and Taylor teaming up for some fantastic moves, including a Hassan-assisted Taylor-slam-dunk shortly followed by a behind the back pass from Taylor that Hassan easily converted.

Hassan topped off his performance just two rebounds short of his second double-double of the week – with 22 points and eight rebounds in almost 24 minutes of play.

By the time Kevin Moyo was back in the game deep into the fourth, Leeds looked beaten and exhausted.

Moyo’s pace added to the frustration. The final score was London 91-65 Leeds.

The Lions, who are now 6-0 in all competitions, next face Sheffield Sharks away on Friday, before returning to the Copper Box on Wednesday November 2 when they will face local rivals the Surrey Scorchers. Tip-off is at 7.30pm.