MATCH REPORT: Rocks fall to Riders in tough game

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The Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks look to kick off this weekend doubleheader away from home as they take on The Leicester Riders at the Morningside arena. Rocks have been on a solid run of form leading into this game however the same can be said for the Riders as they are currently 3-0 in the league. It’s built up to be an entertaining game with each of the first two BBL player of the months coming up against each other.  

A slow first minute of the game from both teams as they struggle to find the basket. Tyrell Green earns the first points of the game with an open three-pointer following a Johnson assist. Leicester answer back scoring the next six points. Halfway into the first half Rocks are down 12 points to their 6 after a fairly slow offensive half from both teams. Fraser Malcolm is subbed on for Jordan Harris and then earns himself his first two points from the line. BBL Player of the Month Geno Crandall impresses by answering back with a three-pointer of his own. A minute left into the first quarter and the Rocks have been getting punished from range as the Riders make 4 out of 7 3-point efforts. The quarter ends Riders 32 – 13 Rocks. 

The Glasgow Rocks make a strong start to the second quarter by scoring the first 5 points courtesy of Jordan Johnson and continue their strong run by outscoring Leicester 4-12 in the quarter as head coach Gareth Murray comes on for Tyrell Green who has impressed so far. Halfway into the 2nd quarter, Riders look to come back into the game as the score is 43-27 to the home team. The Rocks struggle from the free-throw line shooting only 37% so far. Fraser Malcolm lays in after a Jordan Harris steal and is fouled in the process which he converts. 

Going into half time the score sits at 65-35 with the home team dominating the game. Geno Crandall shows why he is the player of the month by leading the scoring charts with 16 points and an impressive all-around display. The Rocks have been punished for losing the ball as the Riders scored 14 points from 9 turnovers. Any chance of the Rocks coming back into this game is looking bleak. 

The Rocks return to their original starting five to begin the second half, Ali Fraser does well defensively and wins his second block of the game, however, the Riders continue to control the flow of the game. With five minutes to go in the 3rd, both teams continue to battle it out with Riders outscoring the Rocks by only 3 points in the quarter. The quarter ends 86-54, Rocks definitely improving but it seems to be too little too late as the Riders lead by 32 points. 

With the 4th and final quarter beginning it’s all about damage limitation now. Leicester makes a strong start to the 4th scoring the first 8 points. Jordan Harris retaliates and makes a steal and has an open basket which he hammers in with a 2 handed dunk. Murray Hendry earns his first points of the game by making a smooth layup after backing down the defender, who then follows it up shortly after with a nice two-handed dunk from a Jordan Harris assist.  

The game ends 105-76 with Leicester earning the victory. The Rocks improved massively in the second half with them narrowly losing the 3rd quarter by 2 points and winning the 4th by 3. Impressive performances from Jordan Harris and Tyrell Green don’t go unnoticed as Fraser Malcolm is chosen for MVP as he comes away with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Rocks go again tomorrow evening in Surrey against the Scorchers as they look to bounce back from this heavy defeat. Game tip-off at 6 pm, watch it live on BBL Player. 

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