Leicester get off the mark

A major mid-air collision at the Granby Hall's sent Crystal Palace's Adrian Cummings to hospital and Leicester City Riders on their way to a Budweiser League win, their first of the season, that had been slipping away, writes Richard Taylor.

Cummings, one of the biggest leapers in the League, hit seven consecutive points as Palace outscored Leicester nine-nil in three minutes to trail just 65-63.

Justin Phoenix, 6ft 8in and one of four Americans in the Riders line- up, scored a three-pointer and then illegally ended Cummings' points spree. As Cummings leapt for a dunk, Phoenix's mis-timed block sent the Palace player's head on to the back board before he fell 10ft to hit his head on the rock hard floor.

With Cummings departing, Andy Powlesland deputised at the free throw line. He missed both shots and Palace let Leicester off the hook as they scored the next 10 points to win 79-65.