MATCH REPORT: Rocks defeated in Sheffield

NEXT HOME GAME: After our SELL OUT SUNDAY against Newcastle, your Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks host league leaders Leicester Riders on the 20th of February followed by the Sheffield Sharks on the 27th – CLICK HERE for tickets!

The Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks were back in action tonight down in Sheffield against the Sharks in what proved to be a close encounter between the two teams with many lead changes throughout the game, however, it is the Sharks who come away with the home win despite a strong first quarter from the Rocks.

The contest started with the Rocks looking on top early in the first quarter as Boban Jacdonmi got the first 4 points of the game for the Rocks giving them an early advantage, however, this was short-lived as the Sharks fought back against the Rocks quick start with both teams going back and forth on the scoreboard.

The lead kept swinging between both teams in the first quarter as threes from Jordan Johnson and Harris gave the Rocks a slender lead in the contest again with one of the teams struggling to take control of the contest in the opening quarter.

The first quarter ended how it started, as the Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks took a slender lead into the second quarter, outscoring the Sharks, 25-22 as Jonny Bunyan hit a late three to give the Rocks the lead after quarter number one.

Going into the second quarter, the Rocks continued to shoot the ball well as five points from Jaycee Hillsman and a three-pointer from Gareth Murray gave the Rocks their largest lead of the night going up 33-27 early in the quarter.

Despite this, again the Sheffield Sharks continued to battle back as five straight points from them cut down the Rocks lead to just one, forcing coach Murray to call a timeout in the hopes of not letting the Sharks gain momentum.

After the timeout and going into the interval the Sharks regained the lead after the Rocks led by six. Similar to the first quarter, both teams seemed very evenly matched as both continued to score with no team able to take a big lead.

Despite this, the Sharks held on to their lead gained after the timeout as roles are reversed after the first quarter with the Sharks now having a three-point lead at halftime as they outscored the Rocks 20-14 in the second quarter taking a 42-39 lead after the second quarter.

Going into the second half, all was left to play for in this tight encounter between the two teams as Boban Jacdonmi scored the first points of the third quarter for the Rocks, which was then followed up by a three from Jonny Bunyan, giving the Rocks an early lead.

However, seeming to be a trend in this game, the lead again changed as the Sharks went on a 7-0 run to then retake the lead, but the Rocks were determined to keep fighting in this game as both teams again continued to battle on the scoreboard with yet another lead change as a Jaycee Hillsman layup gave the Rocks a 52-51 lead.

Again, the Rocks were unable to hold the lead in the game as Sheffield battled back, going on a scoring streak that saw them take an eight-point lead, which was the largest any

team had so far in the contest. Going into the fourth quarter the Rocks continued to battle with the Sharks, however, it was Sheffield that lead the game 67-60 after the third quarter.

Heading to the fourth quarter, both teams could still win the contest with many lead changes throughout the game. To start the final quarter, the Rocks looked to eat into the Sharks lead as two big threes from Fraser Malcolm and Jordan Harris gave the Rocks a positive start to the quarter.

Despite this, Sheffield managed to find their shooting form in the fourth quarter and fed off the home crowds’ energy as they opened up a 10 point lead in the contest and looked to secure the home win.

Despite a strong away performance from the Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks and many lead changes, it was the Sharks who came away with the win down in Sheffield, defeating the Rocks 90-83.

MVP of the game for the Rocks was Boban Jacdonmi who finished with 21 points on 8-12 shooting, as the Rocks will look to bounce back on Sunday night against the Newcastle Eagles at the Emirates Arena for a 5pm tip-off.

Photography by Adam Bates

The post MATCH REPORT: Rocks defeated in Sheffield appeared first on Glasgow Rocks.