BCB WEEK 5: ESSEX BAG SECOND WIN OF SEASON; THUNDER SET THE PACE

Essex Rebels will hope that they can kick-start the season after a gutsy performance against Loughborough Riders, whereas Worthing Thunder extended their lead at the top of the BCB standings.

Reading Rockets' game against Derby Trailblazers was postponed on Saturday due to facility issues with Loddon Valley.

Key Storylines

• Rebels ground out against Loughborough, despite Joiner triple-double
• Worthing stay unbeaten; beat Cavaliers
• Newcastle and Yorkshire stay in touch with Worthing

Recap

Essex Rebels collected their second win of the season with a hard-fought 87-82 win over Loughborough Riders in Sunday’s only game at Essex Sports Arena.

The hosts had to come from behind to collect the win, trailing by as many as 15 points in the game. The Rebels used a 26-19 fourth period to breeze past the Riders, who will feel that this was an opportunity wasted.

Miles Brown had 25 points and eight steals to lead Essex to victory, shooting 50 percent from the field. Kyron Martin enjoyed a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Michael Joiner led Loughborough with a triple-double of 25 points, 10 boards and 10 assists.

Worthing Thunder extended their lead at the top of the Championship by beating the London Cavaliers 93-74 on the south coast.

Adrian Scarborough missed out on a fourth straight double-double, as he settled for 24 points and nine rebounds, helped by 23 from Justin Hopkins.

Juan Manning hit five triples to lead London with 24 points, as they were hampered by going 3-for-13 from the foul line.

Newcastle Knights continued their good run of form with a 96-87 home win over the Hemel Storm, sealing a fourth win in their last five.

Despite the win, the Knights shot a lower field percentage than their counterparts, going 44 percent from the floor compared to Hemel’s 53 percent, but Newcastle hit 10 three-pointers compared to Hemel’s subpar 1-for-12.

JaRon Thames enjoyed a game-high 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Knights. Darien Nelson-Henry had 27 for the Storm who falls to 1-4.

Yorkshire Dragons improved to 4-1 as they dismissed the winless Bristol Flyers II 104-59.

Leading from start to finish, the Dragons had six players in double figures, led by 19 points from Jordan Whelan and four steals. David Ulph posted a double-double to support Whelan with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Lanre Ayinla led the Flyers with 15 points, but they remain without a win in five Championship games.

Flyers’ neighbours, the Bristol Hurricanes, are also searching for their first win as they came up short against the City of Birmingham Rockets. Zach Powell had 20 points, four rebounds and four assists in the Rockets’ 86-79 victory.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Milton Keynes Breakers disposed of the Nottingham Hoods 81-55, thanks to a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists from British guard Jordan Spencer.