Essex & Herts Leopards 90 (27,50,75)
PAWS London Capitals 82 (17,34,57)

Leopards bounced back from the previous night’s disappointment to run out comfortable winners at the Brentwood Centre, on Sunday.

A large crowd saw Scoop Wicker (pictured) lead all scoring with 31 points as the Big Cats put a turgid performance against Worthing behind them as they recorded their highest points total of the season. In the end the margin of victory was not enough to maintain Leopards’ interest in the EBL Trophy, though even a 20+ points victory would have left Job Burnell’s team relying on other results going in their favour, but the result should restore some self-belief in the Leopards team.

Wicker opened the scoring for the home team, and although Chunga Adams quickly levelled things, once Hayden Herrin had converted an “and-one” the Big Cats never relinquished their lead. With American duo Wicker and Herrin scoring freely, Leopards moved into a 15-7 lead midway through the first period, and despite Roger Lloyd picking up two quick fouls shortly after entering the action, a trey from Herrin saw the hosts take a 10 point lead into the first break.

Herrin contributed another five points in the opening stage of the second period, With Alan Prescott also getting on the scoresheet as Leopards stretched their advantage to 34-21. With Mark Quashie also becoming an offensive threat, the Big Cats continued to build their lead, stretching it to 17 points with three minutes of the half remaining, and although Capitals scored three of the final five points, Leopard reached half-time with a 50-34 lead, and Wicker had already recorded a double-double with 16 points and ten rebounds, while Herrin had chalked up 15 points and Brian Moore had added ten.

The teams shared the points in the opening stages of the second half, but with Wicker adding six straight points for the hosts they opened up a 67-46 lead, and despite Lloyd collecting his third foul shortly before the final break, Leopards ended the third period with a comfortable 75-57 lead.

Lloyd fouled out within 50 seconds of the restart, and the home side started to tire during the final period as Capitals’ relentless defence wore them down, and they opened the quarter with a 14-3 run to narrow Leopards’ lead to just 78-71 A pair of Wicker free-throws plus a jump-shot from Quashie steadied the Big Cats, and that seven point margin was as close as Capitals came. Wicker fouled out with 70 seconds remaining, but a controlled performance from Herrin saw him sink four free-throws to complete Leopards’ victory.

Santa Ataha top scored for the visitors with 26, backed up by 17 from Milek Jivens, while Sam Salter who had given Leopards a torrid time a fortnight before scored just two points as the Leopards defence forced to him shoot from long range.

Leopards: S Wicker (31), H Herrin (27), M Quashie (13), B Moore (10), D Scott (4), A Prescott (4), R Lloyd (1), B Gooch, A Coates (DNP), E Pellant (DNP)

Match Sponsor MVP (Matador Homes): Hayden Herrin