From sizeable odds to the lengthiest of shots, Glasgow Rocks hopes of lifting a first-ever British Basketball League suffered what may prove to be a fatal blow with a 92-85 loss at Newcastle Eagles.
Even second place might now be an outlandish ambition with their hosts securing a six-point cushion over their old rivals and the additional prize of a head-to-head tiebreaker. Sterling Davis will urge his men on regardless.
They remain a good side but seemingly forever a notch below Newcastle. It is now five years, and 19 games, since the Scots brought the Eagles down to earth and although they teased such a possibility, a late 11-3 run in the fourth quarter prolonged the wait still further despite 28 points and 14 rebounds from Kieron Achara.
The margin for error is no longer even in play with Glasgow needing a victory over Surrey Scorchers tomorrow at the Emirates Arena and then a dollop of improbable fortune over the month ahead. ““We can’t overlook Surrey,” said Davis. “We know that from tough past experience. We need every win now and we need to continue to focus every time.”
After losing the opening 14 games of their existence, Caledonia Pride will look to make it two WBBL victories on the bounce when they host Team Northumbria tomorrow.
And although Great Britain forward Hannah Peacock could be forced to miss the rest of the season through injury, the Scots will now attempt to hunt down rivals Cardiff for the eighth and final playoff place.
“We all worked so hard to get that one win,” Pride guard Robyn Lewis said. “But now we’ve got over that hurdle, we want more. We know that, in spells, we are a match for any team in the league and getting a victory has given us the confidence we’ll get more going forward.”
RESULTS: BBL. Newcastle Eagles 92 Glasgow Rocks 85, Cheshire Phoenix 87 Leeds Force 74
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