NBL1 recap: Week 15 (22/23 January 2022) - live streams, stats and more

Five D1M games took place on Saturday, before attention turned to Team Solent Kestrels as they claimed the NBL National Cup on Sunday.

With Solent out of action, Worthing, Hemel and Thames Valley all picked up victories to further their ambitions up at the top of the standings.

There's a recap of all the action below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.

Derby Trailblazers (8-6) 91-60 Essex Rebels (1-12)

Derby Trailblazers claimed their eighth win of the season as they eased past Essex Rebels 91-60.

Staying in front from tip to buzzer, Derby led by 19 points heading into the half time break before moving out of sight as second half progressed.

A week after claiming their maiden win of the season, the Rebels couldn’t build on that victory here as they came up against an in-form Raheem May-Thompson.

The former BBL man poured in a game-high 26 points and narrowly missed out on the double-double as he pulled down nine boards.

American Malcolm Smith was unusually quiet to close with 12 points, though he did shoot an efficient 6-9 from the floor.

Rory Winter top scored for Essex with 16 points as fellow guard Jake Eynon added 12 more as the only other player in double digits.

Elsewhere this weekend

Worthing Thunder (14-2) moved four points clear at the top of the standings as they beat Leicester Warriors (2-13) 95-73.

Restricting the Warriors to 32 points in the second half, Worthing were led on offence by a huge 35 point outing from Hafeez Abdul.

Lewis Diankulu (19pts, 11reb), Delaney Powell (18pts) and Van Turner (17pts) combined for 54 of Leicester’s points as they stay in twelfth spot.

Hemel Storm (10-4) scored the final 23 points of their contest against Loughborough Riders (4-11) to win 104-85. 

Ahead by four with 4:36 remaining, the Riders crumbled under Hemel’s pressure to fall to their eleventh loss of the season, as Taylor Johnson (23pts, 13reb, 8ast), Greg Poleon (22pts, 13reb) and Bode Adeluola (22pts) all turned it on for the hosts.

Evan Walshe top scored for the visitors, he had 26 points.

Thames Valley Cavaliers (9-3) kept their title challenge on course as they won 91-80 on the road against Bradford Dragons (5-7).

Hakeem Sylla put on a show for TVC as he enjoyed a 27 point, 14 rebound double-double, with team mate Jakobi Bonner dropping a game-high 29 points.

Bradford remain on the outside of the playoff places in ninth, they were led by 16 points from veteran Jermayne Laing.

Finally, Oaklands Wolves (1-13) came close to fighting back from a 15 point fourth quarter deficit, eventually falling just short as they lost 85-81 against London Lions II (8-6).

Elijah Maynard (23pts, 5reb) played a part in helping Lions to claim a 26-6 third quarter, setting the London side up with a sizable lead heading into the final quarter.

The Wolves did their best to battle back, with Mike New Jr top scoring on 21 points, but it wouldn’t be enough to lift Oaklands off the bottom of the table.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 22 January

4pm - London Lions II 85-81 Oaklands Wolves - LIVE STATS

6:15pm - Bradford Dragons 80-91 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS

7pm - Derby Trailblazers 91-60 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS

7pm - Hemel Storm 104-85 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS

7:30pm - Worthing Thunder 95-73 Leicester Warriors - LIVE STATS

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Main image credit - Graham Hodges