BCB WEEK 20: READING SLIP UP AS NEWCASTLE STAND ALONE AT THE TOP

After nearly two months where neither team could be seperated, Newcastle Knights stand alone at the summit of the BCB standings.

Aldermore Reading Rockets slipped up this weekend and Milton Keynes Breakers moved level on points with them in the top three.

Key Storylines

• Reading lose at home to Yorkshire
• Newcastle sit pretty at the top with fourth quarter masterclass against Worthing
• Milton Keynes maintain pace in the title race with win at Essex
• Nottingham tighten grip on post-season spot

Recap

Yorkshire Dragons (12-9) put a dent in the top two as they defeated the Aldermore Reading Rockets (16-4) 76-64 to leave the Berkshire side trailing the Newcastle Knights at the summit.

Jordan Jefferson had 26 points and five rebounds, with walking double-double David Ulph chipping in with 14 points and 13 boards. Jax Bouknight led a misfiring Reading side with 19.

At the top of the standings, Newcastle Knights (17-3) came from 20 points down and put on a fourth-quarter clinic to beat the Worthing Thunder (10-10) 108-90 to stand alone at the top of the BCB table.

After trailing by double digits for the majority of the first half, Newcastle slowly clawed its way back in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to single figures before sprinting out of the blocks in the final period, en route to outscoring Worthing 43-18 to claim a comfortable win – even though it was anything but.

JaRon Thames led the Knights with 33 points and 14 rebounds, with Messiah Jones enjoying a triple-double of 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Justin Hopkins paced Thunder with 31 points.

Tyrone Williams was the hero for the Nottingham Hoods (10-9) as they edged the Hemel Storm (5-13) 92-90 in a nail-biter of a finish.

Williams, who led the way with 28 points, hit clutch free throws with four seconds left to seal the win for the Hoods, who maintain their hold on the eighth and final post-season spot. Darien Nelson-Henry went 11-for-12 from the field for 26 for Hemel.

A late spurt from the Milton Keynes Breakers (16-4) rewarded them with an 84-74 win at the Essex Rebels (8-12). With the Breakers narrowly in front 76-72 with under three minutes, they raced to a pivotal 8-0 run in more than a minute to make the game safe.

Ben Baker-McCann and Chase Thompson both had 19 points to lead Breakers who go level with Reading in second. Miles Brown paced Essex with a game-high 24.

London Cavaliers (12-7) remain in view of the top four after they beat the Loughborough Riders (5-16) 95-69.

The Cavs gradually grew their lead as the game progressed, with a 25-8 fourth quarter being the dagger that would beat the stubborn Riders. Daniel Braster had an unbelievable stat line of 33 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead London.

Tomide Akinsuku and Jalen Cook both led Loughborough with 13 points apiece.

Loughborough would bounce back less than 24 hours later, as they defeated Derby Trailblazers (9-10) 79-75 on the road. Jalen Cook led all scorers with 23 points and six rebounds for the Riders.

City of Birmingham Rockets (15-5) bounced from their first loss in nine games last week to beat the Trailblazers 71-55 to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot.

Eric Donaldson had 17 points and 13 rebounds, with Zack Powell chipping in with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets. Conner Washington led Derby with 13 points, who are starting to lose touch with Nottingham in the battle for the final playoff spot with two losses this weekend.