BCB TROPHY RECAP: DOUBLE OT HEARTBREAK FOR BIRMINGHAM, READING IMPRESS AGAINST WORTHING

The City of Birmingham Rockets played two overtime thrillers against Milton Keynes Breakers and Loughborough Riders that highlighted another incredible weekend of BCB Trophy action.

The Yorkshire Dragons and Essex Rebels also posted impressive wins on Saturday, while Aldermore Reading Rockets ended the Worthing Thunder's unbeaten start on Sunday.

Key Storylines

• Double overtime weekend for Birmingham
• Reading continue perfect start by handing Worthing first loss
• Essex off the mark with win over London

 Mike New Jr. was the hero for the Milton Keynes Breakers as they needed overtime to outlast the City of Birmingham Rockets 94-92 in a thriller on Saturday.

New Jr. hit the game-winner with seven seconds left on the game clock in the extra period to seal the win for the Breakers, who continued their perfect start, as Nickolas Woodard led the way with 28 points and 10 rebounds. 

Ronald Blain paced Birmingham with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

And déjà vu hit Birmingham within a 24-hour spell, as they were denied a win by Loughborough Riders in regulation before the latter stole a priceless win in overtime.

Jalen Cook scored for the Riders with two ticks left to take the game to the extra period. However, the Rockets led 92-88 with more than a minute to go before Loughborough closed it out, and a lay-up from Kurtis Henderson secured the win. Cook led the way with 28 points.

Aldermore Reading Rockets convincingly dispatched the Worthing Thunder 101-78 in the battle of the unbeaten sides at Loddon Valley. Mo Walker led the way with 26 points on 10-for-13 shooting, along with eight rebounds to lead the hosts. Justin Hopkins countered with 27 points for Worthing.

Newcastle Knights impressed as they powered past Nottingham Hoods 112-94, with AJ McGinnis in dominant form, erupting for 33 points, which included six triples.

“Great to see AJ starting to find his feet the past two games,” Knights coach Mark Elderkin said afterwards. “He caught fire early today and kept it rolling all game.”

It capped a bad weekend for the Hoods as they also lost to the Yorkshire Dragons 85-69, and another player caught fire from beyond the arc at their expense. Jordan Jefferson had 30 points on 6-for-10 from long range.

Essex Rebels scored their first win of the season, beating the London Cavaliers 95-74 on the road. Manning Baumgardner led the victors with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists. He also lit it up from three-point range, going 7-for-11.

Bristol Hurricanes overcame the Gloucester City Kings 87-65, handing the NBL Division 1 side their first loss of the Trophy. Ben Baker-McCann bagged 19 points and seven rebounds to lead the way.

Capping a good weekend’s work for the Hurricanes, they also beat the Cardiff Met Archers 90-74. Baker-McCann, along with Josh Phillips, led the way with 23 apiece.

Elsewhere around the Trophy, Derby Trailblazers secured a 78-68 win over the Signs Express Falkirk Fury, with Malcolm Smith leading the way with 22 points. Hemel Storm enjoyed a hard-fought 90-74 win over the Oaklands Wolves thanks to a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds from Jabari Nurse.

And in the all-NBL clash, the Cardiff Met Archers came away with a deserved 82-67 win over the Plymouth Raiders.