MATCH REPORT: Rocks defeated in dying seconds in Newcastle
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!
In front of the Sky Sports cameras, the Glen Luss Glasgow Rocks were defeated for the second time in a week, and this time heartbreakingly in the dying seconds, by old-time rivals from across the border, Newcastle Eagles at the Vertu Motors Arena. The final score was 97-95 in favour of Ian MacLeod’s home side, after a Rahmon Fletcher game-winning dagger with 3.4 seconds to go.
Tonight’s game saw the return of Jordan Johnson to the starting five returning from injury, with Jaycee Hillsman out injured after not training during the week. Vance Johnson was also included in the starting lineup for the first time in a Rocks jersey. The anticipated matchup of the night was of Jonny Bunyan, who came off a 25-point performance last week, and Rahmon Fletcher, which has proven entertaining over the years every time they go head-to-head. Notably, going into the game, both teams were the top two teams in the league for points conceded, which showed, as offence was the key to victory, with defence proving to be an afterthought.
The first points of the game went to the returning Justin Gordon of the Eagles who finished with an easy layup. This was responded to by a Vance Johnson layup, after a frantic few possessions. A strong first quarter from the entire Rocks team was opposed by strong starts from Justin Gordon and Wesley Person Jr. who put up 8 and 6 points respectively in the first 10 minutes. Both teams went back to the benches after the first with the Rocks having an 11 point lead, 21-32.
Bunyan in the corner for threeee
: @SkySports Mix
: https://t.co/3oeMDV94eH…
: …https://t.co/v3omERfsvo#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/HS4AU8r1X9— British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) February 18, 2022
The second quarter was much of the same, with the pace remaining exciting from both teams. The key points of the first half were points from turnovers in favour of the Rocks, which sat at 12 going into the locker rooms, with the Glasgow side also having 22 fast break points against Newcastle’s 4. A contested shot from Person Jr. concluded the half, making the score 46-57. Ali Fraser’s 17-points was also essential to the Rocks’ first half success.
Coming out of the half-time break, the Eagles gained momentum, scoring several points quickly which brought them back into the game and trimming their deficit to one possession, which forced a Gareth Murray timeout. With around 4 minutes to go, the Eagles tied the game before taking the lead for the first time since the 1st quarter. Another buzzer beater, this time from Louis Sayers to end the quarter, gave the opposition the momentum going into the final period. In the 3rd, the Eagles scored a game high 32 to get the score to 78-75.
The final quarter proved to be closer than any before, with Jordan Harris’ back-to-back defensive and offensive plays, which would likely be labelled “disgusting” by Kieron Achara MBE, proving to be one of the many changes in momentum. Another tough play from Justin Gordon was important in the game, tying the game at 88 before Rahmon ‘Fletch’ Fletcher took the 2-point lead from the free-throw line. After that point, end-to-end scores from both sides summed up the game overall. Rocks looked to be in the clear to at least take the home side to overtime. However, it wasn’t to be for Gareth Murray’s men, as Eagles’ former BBL MVP, Rahmon Fletcher scored a tough 2-pointer to gain a lead with 3.4 seconds to go. A Jordan Johnson contested 3 was missed, which confirmed the win in Newcastle for the hosts.
JORDAN HARRIS JAMS IT IN
: @SkySports Mix
: https://t.co/3oeMDV94eH…
: …https://t.co/v3omERfsvo#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/VKt0El8e3G— British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) February 18, 2022
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