It is now 12 years and counting for Glasgow Rocks in their quest for major silverware after their season reached an ignominious end last night despite a pyrrhic consolation victory.
Snatching an 87-86 win over Cheshire Phoenix could not prevent Sterling Davis' men from exiting the BBL Playoffs at the quarter-final stage as their hosts prevailed 177-165 on aggregate to secure a last four clash with London Lions next weekend.
The fatal wounds, the Scots will be painfully aware, were inflicted 48 hours before on their own court when the flaws that have repeatedly proven their undoing were exposed for all to see. Although there was the high of a run to the Cup final in January, fault lines in personnel, tactics and execution limited Glasgow's aspirations. Cheshire move on, and deservedly so, as the Rocks begin a summer where an extensive makeover may be needed.
"I don't feel we had an identity," Rocks captain Kieron Achara advised. "The dynamic changed when we changed the team mid-season but that happens in basketball. For me, the only way to get that consistency next year is to bring a core group back and build on it."
Glasgow - led by 18 apiece from Tommy Freeman and Danny Huffor - did have a glimmer of hope when leading 76-68 at the Northgate Arena with less than three minutes left but it was ruthlessly snuffed out amid a late 10-2 run from their hosts, ultimately rendering Huffor's winning shot with five seconds left redundant.
"It was too little, too late," Achara added. "I'm proud of how we fought to get it back but inconsistency has been the story of our season. And that's something that has to be worked on."
Zaire Taylor scored 41 as London booked their date with Cheshire via a 106-67 drubbing of Worcester Wolves to win 186-142 on aggregate.
RESULTS
BBL Playoffs, quarter-finals, 2nd legs. Cheshire Phoenix 86 Glasgow Rocks 87 (Cheshire win 177-165 on aggregate), London Lions 106 Worcester Wolves 67 (London win 186-142). WBBL Playoffs, Final (Worcester). Sheffield Hatters 84 Nottingham Wildcats 69
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