THE Brentwood-centre based Essex Leopards wrapped up their pre-Christmas programme with a come-from-behind 79-74 victory against Westminster Warriors on Sunday.
In front of a big crowd at Brentwood, the Big Cats fought off a determined Warriors side to make it four wins from the first seven games in their defence of the vcars.co.uk Division One title.
American forward Greg Hernandez led the way with a 28-point, 17 rebound double-double as he played all 40 minutes of the game.
Guard Simon Cummings added 23 points and seven rebounds for a Leopards side who were without player-coach Robert Youngblood on the court.
Taner Adu finished with 18 points and also added seven boards, while Carl Josey fought off a poor shooting display to pull down ten rebounds as Leopards comfortably won the battle of the boards 60-37.
Hernandez and Adu put Leopards 4-0 up in the opening minute, but Warriors replied with 12 straight points to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish until the final eight minutes of the game.
Hernandez broke the run, but that was the only time Leopards troubled the scorers for seven minutes, and it was only four free-throws from the big man that kept Leopards in touch as they went into the first break trailing 22-10 after Jamelle Davis' needles foul on the buzzer saw Prince Lartey converted two of his three free-throws..
Cummings opened the second period scoring from the foul line, but the closest Leopards came to the visitors was five points when Josey hit a jump shot and although Cummings added a late free-throw, the Big Cats trailed 41-32 going into the locker room.
It was similar story in the third period as Yannick Bulambwe extended the visitors' lead to 12 early in the half, and the closest the Big Cats came was at the four minute mark when Hernandez scored off Adu's assist.
The Big Cats railed 60-54 at the final break, but Adu sliced that lead to two with a pair of drives to the basket before Cummings levelled the score at the eight minute mark.
Adu gave Leopards their first lead since the opening minute with a pair of free-throws to complete the 8-0 run, but he teams were still level going into final three minutes.
Cummings and Jonathan Johnson exchanged baskets to tie the game at 71 with two minutes remaining, before Hernandez gave Leopards a lead they would never lose with a free-throw with 1:44 remaining.
Cummings also hit one at the foul line, and although Johnson kept his side in touch, Cummings and Tom Martin wrapped things up at the free-throw line.
The Big Cats now have a 20-day break before BBL Championship leaders Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders visit the Brentwood Centre on Sunday December 30 for a BBL Trophy first round tie.
