Glasgow Rocks coach Sterling Davis will ask his team to regroup and refocus for the final stretch of the British Basketball League campaign after a 76-68 defeat to Bristol Flyers last night that sucked more air out of their season. It made it four losses in a row for the Scots who remain third in the standings but are now short of momentum, and ever further adrift of title pugilists Leicester and Newcastle, as the BBL Playoffs come into view.
“We’ve got to be able to face challenges and that’s where we’re struggling right now – to deal better with adversity,” Davis said. “When we can do that, we’ll see the difference in performances. But we need to get production from everybody. When you’re on the floor, you need to contribute. The impact guys had on this game was terrible, right the way through.”
Neil Watson had a game-high 21 points for Glasgow but there were enough lows to concern Davis as his side begins a fortnight’s break from the competitive fray, not least the results of scans on American rookie Anthony Elechi which suggest his season could be over.
Shorn of his energies in reserve, the Rocks trailed 25-12 amid a torrid opening quarter but an 8-0 run brought lift-off. Yet apart from a brief moment late in the third period when the hosts were level at 52-52, it was as close as they came. Even with Kieron Achara adding 19 points and 12 rebounds, Glasgow were undone by 9-for-37 shooting from three-point range and a poised finish from Bristol who continued their push to sneak into the top eight, aided by eight points and 11 boards from prospective Scotland internationalist Mike Vigor.
Answers will now be sought by Davis. “We have had times when we were looking for a player to step forward and lead and we’ve struggled at times. But we do have guys in our locker room who can lead. You never want to go into a two-week break off four losses in a row. But it does give us a chance to regroup and get back to a certain level and prepare for what’s ahead.”
Sheffield Sharks missed the chance to move level on points with Glasgow by losing 100-83 at Cheshire Phoenix.
RESULTS
BBL. Glasgow Rocks 68 Bristol Flyers 76, Leeds Force 99 Plymouth Raiders 69 Cheshire Phoenix 100 Sheffield Sharks 83
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