BCB TROPHY RECAP: READING ONE OF THREE TEAMS UNBEATEN AS GROUP STAGE ENDS; KNIGHTS ADVANCE IN NORTH
Newcastle Knights beat the Derby Trailblazers to reach the quarter-finals of the BCB Trophy, with Aldermore Reading Rockets topping the South 2 pool to end an enthralling group stage.
Elsewhere, Hemel Storm topped the Midlands section after overcoming the Milton Keynes Breakers in a battle of the unbeaten sides.
Key Storylines
- Newcastle beat Derby to qualify in congested North group
- Reading, Hemel and Bristol Hurricanes finish 4-0
A second-quarter ambush proved to be the deciding factor as the Newcastle Knights defeated the Derby Trailblazers 87-71 on the road.
The Knights broke open a tight first ten minutes with venom, outscoring their counterparts 32-16 in the second to take a 56-36 lead at the break; despite glimpses of life from Derby, they couldn't recover.
AJ McGinnis led the Knights with 20 points on 50 percent shooting, helped by Jalen Shirley’s 17. Jai Pathmarajah had a game-high 24 for Derby, but was the sole Trailblazer in double figures for scoring.
The Knights finished above the Nottingham Hoods in the North standings, despite beating Signs Express Falkirk Fury 118-85 in a high-octane clash with a mammoth 26 three-pointers. Cameron Kahn led the winners with 24 points.
Aldermore Reading Rockets finished a perfect 4-0 in the South 2 group after beating Essex Rebels 88-76 at Essex Sports Arena.
Jax Bouknight led the way for the Rockets with 25 points, as Reading shot an impressive 54 percent from the field to finish pool play unblemished. Kyron Martin hit six triples for his 25 in vain for Essex.
Hemel Storm also finished the group stage unbeaten, edging out the previously undefeated Milton Keynes Breakers 99-93. Victor Olarerin poured in 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting in 29 minutes to lead the Storm.
In the already decided South 1 pool, table toppers Bristol Hurricanes became the third team to go 4-0 in pool play after overcoming the Plymouth Raiders 87-58. Dennis Flowers and Gabriel Franklin each scored 19 points for the Hurricanes.
NBL side Cardiff Met Archers pulled off a dramatic 82-80 win over the Bristol Flyers II, thanks to a three-pointer from Alex Koukouravas with 17 seconds left. Koukouravas finished with 20 points for the victors.
In South 2, London Cavaliers beat the Portsmouth Force 91-63 and City of Birmingham Rockets’ title defence ended on a positive note, as they toppled the Oaklands Wolves 83-65.
