BCB WEEK 16: TOP TWO SUFFER LOSSES AS NOTTINGHAM AND BIRMINGHAM ROLL
An unbelievable Week 16 in the BCB saw winning runs continue and opportunities at the top go to waste.
Aldermore Reading Rockets had a chance to capitalise on a slip-up by the Newcastle Knights to become the sole owner of the number one seed at the summit, but incredibly failed to do so. Meanwhile, the Nottingham Hoods continue their resurgence, along with the City of Birmingham Rockets.
Key Storylines
- Newcastle fall to in-form Nottingham
- Reading fails to take advantage on the south coast
- Birmingham makes it a Super Six weekend
Recap
A stuttering Newcastle Knights (13-3) suffered a pivotal 94-83 loss on the road to a rejuvenated Nottingham Hoods (8-8) side in the league’s only Friday matchup.
Tyrone Williams ended with 30 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals to secure a fifth straight win for the Hoods, who stay in the postseason hunt. Sam Trunley and JaRon Thames led Newcastle with 22 points each, with the latter pulling down 15 rebounds.
Newcastle’s loss opened the door for the Aldermore Reading Rockets (13-2) to be alone at the top; however, they spurned their chance, dropping only their second game of the season 66-63 to the Worthing Thunder (10-6).
Worthing’s explosive opening gave them a lead that ballooned to as many as 14 points before Reading hit back to make it a close game in the latter stages. Thunder, who suffered their first loss of the season to Reading, gained their revenge by keeping their cool at the foul line to score a priceless win.
Justin Hopkins had 17 points and 10 rebounds against his former club to lead Worthing, with Adrian Scarborough matching him with 17 points and nine rebounds. Yusef Salih led all scorers in vain for the Rockets with 19.
City of Birmingham Rockets (11-4) keep on rolling as they bagged their sixth straight win with a pair of victories this weekend, starting with a 91-71 victory over the Bristol Hurricanes (2-13)
Ronald Blain led the Rockets with 19 points and six rebounds as they maintained their spot in the top four. Daniel Edozie had 13 points and nine rebounds for Bristol.
Blain kept up his scintillating form as the Rockets edged the Hemel Storm (3-13) 90-82. The American forward had 23 points, supported by the British veteran Orlan Jackman, who chipped in with 18.
London Cavaliers (10-5) continue their positive stretch by beating the Yorkshire Dragons (8-8) 99-85 on the road, sealing a third consecutive win.
AJ Roberts went 5-for-7 from three-point land as he went for 21 points, five rebounds and two steals to lead the Cavs. Jack Melke paced the Dragons with 21.
Loughborough Riders (4-12) convincingly overcame the Derby Trailblazers (7-7) 93-64 to seal only their fourth win of the season. Jalen Cook amassed 25 points on 50 percent shooting. Derby were led by Malcolm Smith’s 20 points, but the Trailblazers fell to their third straight defeat.
A strong second half lifted the Milton Keynes Breakers (12-4) to a 104-85 success over the Hemel Storm, who suffered a double-defeat weekend.
Trailing 54-53 at the half, the Breakers exploded out of the blocks in the third with a 6-0 run, en route to a 77-70 lead before leaving the Storm in the dust in the fourth.
DaShawn Jackson had 25 points and three rebounds to lead MK, helped by a near triple-double from Jordan Spencer, who piled on 21 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Essex Rebels (8-8) overcame their two-game losing streak in brutal fashion as they beat the Bristol Flyers II (0-16) 115-43. Miles Brown scored 24 points to lead the Rebels.
