Hemel Storm’s Bode Adeluola put in a sublime individual performance to lead his team to a dramatic 67-64 win in Leeds and keep them top of National League Division One.
Adeluola returned from Leeds having played the entire 40 minutes and notched career-best stats of 36 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Head coach Steve Darlow paid tribute to his dynamic guard, saying: “Bode had a spectacular offensive game. As the game ebbed and flowed he came up with big play after big play.
“All this was backed up by some determined defensive work from the rest of the team who fought to frustrate Leeds’ potent scoring threats.”
“This was one of the most satisfying road wins of the season against a very talented opposition and particularly as we were without two of our usual starters.
“Once more I must pay tribute to a fantastic team spirit and a determination to get the job done”.
The game was nip and tuck throughout as Hemel got off to a faster start than they have lately, with the visitors leading 16-14 at the end of the quarter.
Storm fell behind to a three-point shot early in the second period, but they stayed in touch at the other end.
Another couple of scores by Adeluola meant Storm went into the half-time break leading by five points at 32-27.
Five early Hemel points and a pair of offensive rebounds by Zak Wells maintained Storm’s lead in the third quarter, helped by their first three-pointer of the night by Walid Mumuni.
Two more three-pointers in quick succession, both by Adeluola, stretched Storm’s lead to eight points at 50-42, but Leeds fought back to trail by only two at the final break.
With five minutes left and Hemel up by one point, Leeds hit another three-pointer to take the lead back, but several missed shots by the home team allowed Adeluola to put his team back in front with just 90 seconds left.
Then, with only eight seconds left Leeds missed a pair of free-throws and the clock ran out after a Tom Adorian free-throw sealed the impressive win.