Paternostro's Riders are eighth in the BBL table

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro said a demanding fixture list played a part in last week's loss at Plymouth.

Riders beat Sheffield Sharks at home on Saturday but looked jaded in losing to Plymouth Raiders on the road on Sunday.

"The schedule maker has challenged us this season," said Paternostro, whose side host Guildford Heat on Saturday.

"After a tough emotional game that went late into Saturday night, we were back on the coach for a five-hour trip that started at 8am to play a 4pm game."

He added: "It's something you have to deal with, but it certainly can have an effect on your team.

"Take nothing away from Plymouth because they did what they had to do and deserved to get that win.

Plymouth was a game that we will all like to forget. I credit Raiders for making shots, because we certainly didn't Riders coach Rob Paternostro

"Our effort was fantastic against the Sharks, we continued to push the tempo and in the fourth quarter we were given our reward.

"JR Blount, Jo Harris and Ryan Zamroz again were very good. Zamroz hit a huge shot for us and Lataryl Williams' 10 rebounds were key for us to play the way we wanted to play.

"Plymouth was a game that we will all like to forget. I credit Raiders for making shots, because we certainly didn't.

"But it was one of those games where nothing would go in. Lay-ups, free-throws, short-jumpers, long-jumpers - you name it and it didn't go in.

"I thought we competed, we out-rebounded them by a considerable amount, and played pretty good defence in stretches but when you can't put the ball in the basket it is always going to be a long night."

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