CENTRAL Districts Lions closed out their season with an 85-94 loss to Sturt Sabres in SA Premier League men’s basketball on Saturday evening.

The Sabres got off to the perfect start, and restricted the Lions to just 11 points in the first period, while scoring 24 themselves.

Despite trailing by 13 points, the Lions hit back hard in the second term, and cut the deficit to just five points at half-time.

However, Sturt again put on a solid defensive display to re-establish the 13-point lead at the final break.

The Lions won the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough.

Central captain Jordan Riewer had a sensational game with 33 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, while Lual Diing had 22 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.

Aaron Perry was also serviceable with eight points, one rebound and two assists.

Meanwhile, the Lions’ women’s side was thumped 99-59 by Sturt.

The Sabres were the better side from the get-go, opening up a 29-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

It was the exact same in the second period, as Sturt doubled its lead, 58- 28, at half-time.

Central performed better in the second half, but it still couldn’t restrain the relentless Sabres.

Jazmen Boone scored 32 points, and had 15 rebounds and two assists, while Niroshka Perez-Crespo sunk 11 points.