BCB WEEK 13: FIVE-STAR BREAKERS PUT OUT DRAGONS; READING, NEWCASTLE BAG WINS

The Milton Keynes Breakers are making their intentions clear near the top of the BCB table as early pace setters Yorkshire Dragons, continue to slide.

However, Newcastle Knights and Aldermore Reading Rockets are still the teams to beat after Week 13.

Key Storylines

• MK Breakers bag fifth straight win in Yorkshire
• Newcastle and Reading continue to set the pace at the top
• Taylor Johnson's final game with Hemel ends with loss to London

Recap

Milton Keynes Breakers (9-3) secured their fifth straight win by handing the Yorkshire Dragons (7-6) their fifth consecutive defeat.

Xavier Wilson had 19 points and nine rebounds, supported by Jordan Spencer’s 18, as the Breakers beat the Dragons 84-64.

Spencer added six rebounds, seven assists and four steals to his impressive tally as the visitors bombarded Yorkshire early, racing to an 11-0 lead and keeping their foot on the gas throughout.

Corey Johnson had 17 points for the Dragons.

Aldermore Reading Rockets (10-1) managed to keep Loughborough Riders (3-9) at bay to score an 83-73 win at Loughborough University and keep the pressure burning at the top.

Victor Olarerin shot 52 percent from the field as he led the Rockets with 21 points, as well as getting five steals, as the Rockets used a strong 25-17 second quarter to create space in an otherwise close battle.

Johde Campbell paced Loughborough with 21.

However, Newcastle Knights (12-1) still rule the roost, but Mark Elderkin’s side needed a game-winning buzzer beater from JaRon Thames to bag an 88-86 victory over the Bristol Hurricanes (1-11).

Thames connected close to the basket as time expired in a heartbreaker for the short-handed Hurricanes, who were without point guard Elvisi Dusha and only played with seven players.

Bradley Dean led Newcastle with 29 points and six rebounds. Denzel Ubiaro played all 40 minutes for Bristol, scoring 22 points and 11 boards.

Nottingham Hoods (5-8) bagged back-to-back wins as they disposed of the winless Bristol Flyers II 92-71 (0-13).

A solid first half from the Hoods proved key to the success, as they breezed to a 55-35 lead at half-time to maintain their significant gap, despite a bright second half showing from the Flyers.

Bryce Johnson enjoyed a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Hoods. Lanre Ayinla shot 57 percent for 20 points for Bristol.

Taylor Johnson’s final game for the Hemel Storm (3-9) ended with a loss as the London Cavaliers (8-5) played spoiler in a 105-88 win.

Daniel Braster was outstanding for the Cavs, going for 25 points and 16 rebounds, as well as three steals in a majestic showing, with Johnson leading Hemel with 18.

City of Birmingham Rockets (6-4) were merciless, as they beat Worthing Thunder (8-5) 105-73 at the Worthing Leisure Centre.

Rockets shot 50 percent from the floor, while holding the Thunder to just 38 percent, with Eric Donaldson leading the way with 22 points. Adrian Scarborough had a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds on his return from injury for Worthing.

Derby Trailblazers (7-4) went an incredible 15-for-24 from three-point land as they beat the Essex Rebels (7-7) 117-80. Jai Pathmarajah shot 72 percent from the field as he led Derby with 35 points, eight assists and five steals.