Worthing Thunder Coach Gary Smith was full of praise for his team after a creditable performance against defending National Cup champions Leicester Riders.

Riders booked their place in round two with a 126-89 victory but only really pulled clear in the final quarter.

The visitors, 84-69 ahead after the third period, outscored Thunder 42-20 in the last period but Smith remained upbeat.

He said: "I was very pleased with the manner of our performance. We did well for three quarters and they only pulled away when we ran out of steam.

"To score 89 points against a BBL team is pleasing. It's the defensive end that we need to sharpen up on, but there were a lot of plus points we can take from this game."

Riders coach Billy Mims was gracious in victory as former Bear Jon Gaines poured in 35 points to help boost his side.

Mims said: "We got the job done in the end but full marks to Worthing for making a good game out of it. Worthing is never an easy place to come and we had to guard against complacency.

"We had three new starters so we are having to learn about ourselves, but we wore Worthing down and got through in a professional way."

Riders were also well served by Billy Singleton, who fired 22 points and had 15 rebounds, while Germaine Brown netted 29 points and Michael New 18.

American Sean Hampton led the way for Worthing with 34 points and Paul Mundy-Castle, who was with Mims at London Leopards, impressed his old boss by slotting 25 points.

Riders, who had lost four of their opening five games, made all eight of their three point attempts in the final quarter and they also out-rebounded their hosts 49-33.

Leicester, playing their fourth match in six days, were pegged 26-26 after the first quarter before crossing over with a seven point advantage at 60-53.

Gaines hit nine points in an 11-0 run for Riders, and later hit a three-pointer only for Mundy-Castle to reply for Worthing at the end of the first quarter.

Thunder were then hit by an unanswered 15-point burst by Riders as the visitors led 41-32 and it was 51-41 with two minutes to play in the second quarter.

Thunder scorers: Hampton 34, Mundy-Castle 25, Martin 150, Moore 7, Addy 6, Brame 5, Cheal 2.

Riders scorers: Gaines 35, Brown 29, Singleton 22, New 18, Mahood 9, Blalock 8, Turner 2, Thomas 1.