Report: Bristol Flyers 91-78 Cheshire Phoenix

Mike Vigor opened the scoreline for Flyers benefiting from a neat entry pass from Brandon Boggs. Cheshire came straight back with DII'Jon Allen-Jordan scoring inside to tie the game.

That the visitors' game plan was to bomb away from long range and push the break was evident by their three quick fastbreak opportunities and three three-point shots early on.

Flyers countered with patient offence, boasting seven assists and every starter scoring in the opening period. Bristol were working hard on both ends of the floor.

Scouting the visitors well. They hedged every pick and roll attempt and by suffocating the Phoenix ball movement, they came up with multiple steals early on.

As the first came to a close, Jamell Anderson slammed the ball down with authority and was fouled by Daniel Edozie. Flyers' captain Greg Streete returned the favour by converting on his own And-1 lay-up. The score close going into second 20-21.

Cheshire upped the anti in the second quarter when Mike DiNunno connectied with Anderson on an alley-oop for their opening possession.

Streete, sensing a Phoenix run, scored four straight points to give Flyers a slender lead. This inspired an offensive flurry which created some breathing room for Bristol.

Hameed Ali found nothing but net on a long range two, Lesley Smith then tricked the defence with an up under lay-up. Cosby capped off the run by connecting on a three-pointer, forcing the visitors to call time.

Phoenix came scorching out after the timeout running up six straight impressive scores. Cheshire's Raheem May-Thompson initiated the charge with a two-handed power dunk.

Flyers looked to counter but turned the ball over, only to see Anderson stream through the lane with the one-handed jam and Allen-Jordan lay the ball up.

With half-time approaching both clubs looked to secure a lead before the break. Bristol's balanced attack was matched by a stand out performance by Cheshire's Allen-Jordan, who scored 12 first half points on 66% shooting.

In a vital possession, Boggs challenged May-Thompson at the rim and was fouled. The Phoenix big man was called for a foul and then a technical foul, giving Flyers free-throws and possession helping them protect their lead. Though it was Cheshire's Dinunno with a behind-the-back lay-up to close the half, Flyers led 41-36 at the break.

Cheshire took aim at Bristol's lead and made a defensive stance to begin the third period, forcing Flyers into a 24-second shot clock violation. Going scoreless on the previous possession failed to rattle Cosby who pulled up for a transition three-pointer to push the lead to 11.

Cheshire's May-Thompson retaliated with a quick lay-up and back-to-back blocks on Cosby's lay-up attempts.

Phoenix weren't finished there, Earl Brown JR followed with a series of moves to the hoop for a short two-pointer. The home side's lead again was under threat as the visitors continued to push the pace. As the game became quicker Flyers committed more fouls and were in the penalty early which kept Phoenix in the game.

Bristol could see their slender lead diminish with every foul shot. In danger of being tied going into the fourth, Flyers finished the third strong. They went 7-2 in the final two minutes of the period to push their lead to 14 points.

Bristol's momentum continued into the final quarter. Flyers were firing on both ends, with Edozie emphatically rejecting a Dinunno lay-up attempt and then converting at the foul line on the following possession.

The ball found Boggs on the wing, who drove all the way to the hoop for the lay-up adding to Bristol's advantage. Cheshire's turned up the pressure defensively by implementing a full court press. As a result Flyers rushed their offence and came up short on multiple possessions. This allowed Phoenix to attack the basket, draw the foul and go to the line.

Nix closed the gap to just six points late in the fourth which was highlighted by a Brown two-handed slam. Seeing the scoreline dramatically change in such a short space of time, Flyers responded.

In the final two minutes Edozie and Cosby combined for seven points. Edozie effectively put the nail in the coffin with a dominant drunk to send the SGS WISE arena into a frenzy. Flyers closed the game out 90-78.

YES! pic.twitter.com/s5kObkfVH8

— Bristol Flyers (@BristolFlyers) April 7, 2017

Half time @BristolFlyers match great entertainment and a very enjoyable match 👌 pic.twitter.com/RvKNP6u0TU

— Scott Murray (@Scotty_Murray) April 7, 2017

Points: Aaron Cosby, Earl Brown Junior - 24
Assists: Mike Vigor, Mike Dinunno, Dii'Jon Allen-Jordan - 4
Rebounds: Leslee Smith - 12

Box Score: http://www.fibalivestats.com/u/BBL/307369/