Milton Keynes Lions took a share of second place in the BBL Championship Southern Conference thanks to their 86-75 success at home to Leicester Riders. 

However, the Riders refused to give the Lions an easy ride and the score was close for much of the game, especially in the first half. 

With Lions leading 39-36 at the halfway point, Nigel Lloyd's men went on a 9-2 run to lead 48-38. Riders responded well and scored ten points without reply to tie the game at 48-48. 

Yet Lions pulled out the stops and eventually won the game in the final period with six unanswered points opening up an 11-point lead. 

Merrill Brunson led all scorers with 18 points for the victors, while Freddie Cole scored 17 for the visitors.