SCINTILLATING ROCKETS SHOOT PAST CAVALIERS
Reading Rockets 87 Thames Valley
Cavaliers 71
READING ROCKETS executed one of their best displays of the season with a win over Thames Valley Cavaliers.
Freckelton and Bonner got TVC off to a flying start and a first quarter lead of 24-18 with clinical finishing but Rockets truly exploded in the second period with a 31-8 winning margin disturbing the usual control that TVC have over their opponents with such an experienced and talented side.
Jaz Bains hit a brace of trebles with Tyler Cartaino finding his feet after a few weeks lay off due to a hamstring injury as guards Lewis Champion and Ben Dixon made major contributions whilst Reis Pinnock and Meshack Lufile controlled the boards.
Rockets played at a very fast pace finishing each offensive very well and being secure from the free throw line as they surprised Cavaliers brushing them aside in this quarter to lead at the interval 49-32.
Rockets continued their domination of the court taking the third period by 20-16 extending their lead to 69-48 as Lufile was dominant inside and on the boards having a double double before the final quarter started with 17 points and ten rebounds.
Champion was clinical with his shooting form inside and outside the arc as Bains hit three from five triples and enabling Coach Pearson to indulge his academy talent.
Thinking of the following day’s return game in Uxbridge, coach Pearson gave his top contributors as much rest as he could knowing that victory was assured with such a superb team performance.
Ultimately, the ever dominant Meshack Lufile hit 21 points, took down 14 rebounds, had a block and two assists in an excellent display from the power forward.
Jaz Bains continued his excellent outside the arc shooting with 18 points whilst Sam Toluwase showed his importance to this squad as the experienced forward hit 15 points and Lewis Champion hit 12 points.