Glasgow drop out BBL top three after Riders defeat

GLASGOW ROCKS dropped out of the British Basketball League’s top three for the first time since November last night following a 93-84 reverse at leaders Leicester Riders.

Kieron Achara had 21 points and 12 rebounds but a late rally from the Scots fell short after they’d trailed by 18 at the start of the fourth quarter.

It’s a fifth straight loss for Sterling Davis’ men who sit fourth after rivals Sheffield Sharks leapfrogged them by beating Surrey Scorchers 86-78.

Yet with Gareth Murray sidelined through injury after only seven minutes, Glasgow made their hosts work for a victory that takes them ever-closer to retaining their BBL title. If not for 18 turnovers that were summarily punished, they might have inflicted a second defeat on the champions in three days.

With Lee Reilly adding ten points when asked to fill the void left by Murray’s incapacity, the Rocks surged 44-42 ahead late in the second period before a three-point play from ex-Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan pushed the Riders in front at the break.

They’d never trail again with a 7-0 run shaking off the Scots to eventually sweep 75-57 clear.

With Brandon Clark scoring a game-high 23, Leicester could afford to coast but a 9-0 burst at the start of the fourth briefly gave Glasgow hope.

But not for long as the Riders now sit four points clear of Newcastle Eagles with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Caledonia Pride coach Bart Sengers admits his team’s resilience shocked even him as they had a first-ever home win in the Women’s BBL.

The capital outfit overturned a 76-64 deficit with 4:19 left to stun Sheffield Hatters 79-78 with Natalie Bastian, who scored 24, sealing victory from the foul line.

It kept Pride within four points of eighth-place Cardiff and the door still ajar to making the play-offs in their inaugural season.

“We worked hard for that,” Sengers said. “It surprised me how we handled things because we’ve not always dealt with pressure well. Now we need everyone to build on this because it will give us some confidence.”