Narrow defeat to Wolves can’t stop Rocks rolling on to semi-final

GLASGOW ROCKS booked a showdown with Sheffield Sharks in next weekend’s semi-finals of the BBL Playoffs last night despite an 88-83 loss at Worcester Wolves, winning the twolegged tie 173-141 on aggregate.

Taking a huge cushion into the return leg at the University of Worcester, Sterling Davis’ men wobbled when they trailed 37-17 early in the second period and it briefly appeared that their place in the last four might be in peril.

After hitting back, Glasgow were put under pressure again when the Wolves surged 77-58 in front with ten minutes to go.

But the Scots closed with an 18-6 run to bolt the door shut on a Worcester comeback behind 14 points from Warren Gillis.

“We weren’t ready in that first quarter when they came out and were really aggressive,” said Rocks forward Will Hall. “But by half-time, everyone had settled down and even though we made it tough for ourselves, we felt we’d be all right.”

Glasgow now sit two wins away from a final date at London’s 02 next month and Hall insists they will fear no-one left in the hunt.

“We’ll take quite a lot of confidence from this. We feel we should get to the final and if we’re there, we should win it. That wouldn’t have been the case two months ago but we’re now positive about our chances.”

Leicester thrashed Leeds 75-55 to book their semi spot. The visitors scored the first six points of the game to wipe out their first leg deficit but the Riders hit back and there was nothing to split the two sides at 17-17 as the first quarter drew to a close.

Leicester managed to edge ahead in the second quarter and took a four-point advantage into the half-time interval with Leeds now nine points adrift on aggregate.

The gap was 13 points heading into the final quarter.

League champions Leicester maintained control in the fourth period and made sure of the win with a 13-0 run to wrap up a 20-point win.

Cheshire completed an upset of Newcastle despite a 96-87 loss in the second leg.

Worcester Wolves 88 Glasgow Rocks 83 (Agg: 141-173), Leicester Riders 75 Leeds Force 55 (158-133), London Lions 78-75 Sheffield Sharks (148-169), Cheshire Phoenix 87 Newcastle Eagles 96 (191-187)