Match report: Hoods Defeat the Loughborough Riders in a thrilling bout

Hoods Pull Away in Second Half to Defeat Riders

The Nottingham Hoods welcomed local rivals Loughborough Riders to Harvey Hadden Sports Village, looking to extend their perfect start to 2026. Having already beaten the Riders twice earlier in the season, Nottingham were aware of the challenge ahead, particularly with both teams arriving in strong recent form. After a closely contested first half, the Hoods gradually asserted control, pulling away in the second half to secure a convincing 104–87 victory.

The opening minutes reflected the intensity of the rivalry, with both teams held scoreless for the first two minutes. Loughborough settled first, using aggressive drives to the basket to build an early six-point lead. Nottingham responded through T. Williams, who matched the Riders’ energy by attacking the rim and converting consistently. Strong three-point shooting kept the Hoods within striking distance, though two long-range efforts from V. Ndukou prevented the home side from building momentum. The Riders edged the opening quarter 27–23, with Nottingham not quite at their sharpest compared to recent performances.

Loughborough continued to play with aggression early in the second quarter, but the Hoods responded with a 9–0 run, highlighted by four points from new signing A. Adedo. Five straight points from M. Savery-Richards then gave Nottingham their first lead of the game. Although the Riders continued to apply pressure with their direct approach, the Hoods began to find their offensive rhythm, sharing the ball well and generating high-quality looks. Nottingham took a narrow 53–49 advantage into halftime, with the contest finely balanced.

Both teams came out firing to begin the third quarter, as D. Nixon II and V. Ndukou exchanged baskets on the opening possessions, each scoring five quick points. Defensive intensity increased on both ends, making scoring more difficult, but Nottingham’s quicker tempo and improved ball movement allowed them to gain separation. The Hoods built a 14-point lead midway through the quarter, and despite a brief response from the Riders, Nottingham remained in control, closing the period up 11.

The Riders made one final push early in the fourth quarter, quickly halving the deficit and forcing the Hoods to respond. Nottingham maintained their composure, continuing to exchange baskets before asserting control once again. Excellent offensive rebounding led to multiple second-chance scores, while continued accuracy from beyond the arc proved decisive. The Hoods pulled away in the closing stages to complete a 104–87 win.

The victory extends Nottingham’s unbeaten run in 2026 to six games. While it took time for the Hoods to fully find their rhythm, the team’s confidence and cohesion were evident as the game progressed. T. Williams delivered a standout performance with 32 points on 50% shooting from three-point range, adding eight assists, while D. Nixon II recorded 22 points on 80% three-point shooting alongside eight assists. New signing A. Adedo also impressed with a promising contribution. The Hoods return home again next week as they face the Yorkshire Dragons, looking to gain revenge after a difficult performance earlier in the season.