BCB WEEK 7: READING BEAT WORTHING IN EPIC; DRAGONS COME UP CLUTCH
In one of the most thrilling and tense weeks of BCB action so far, one undefeated side lost their unblemished record, while there was drama in Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Derby Trailblazers' Conner Washington was hit nine of the best from three-point land as his team mount a push up the table.
Key Storylines
- Reading edge Worthing in battle of the unbeaten sides
- Dragons come up clutch in thriller against the Hurricanes
- Human firework Conner Washington lifts the Trailblazers to win over Storm
Recap
Reading Rockets (5-0) are now the only unbeaten team in the BCB after dethroning Worthing Thunder (6-1) 87-83 in an epic encounter played in front of a sell-out crowd at Rivermead.
The Thunder led 37-27 nearly midway into the second quarter through Adrian Scarborough, but what followed was an ambush from the Rockets.
A 20-2 run gave Reading a 47-39 advantage at the half, and from there, both teams played tug of war with the lead, but in the end, Reading held on in a pulsating heavyweight battle.
Cooper Creek paced Reading with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, with Victor Olarerin adding 18. Playing against his former side, Justin Hopkins had 20 for Worthing, with Matthew Bryan-Amaning posting a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Clutch free throws in the final minute handed the Yorkshire Dragons (6-1) a 75-73 win over the Bristol Hurricanes (0-7) in a thriller.
Corey Johnson was the man who stepped up to hit two shots across two trips to the line in that final minute, as Daniel Edozie missed a lay-up and a three-pointer that could have snatched victory at the death.
Johnson ended with 25 points, with ten of those coming at the foul line for the Dragons, who were without Nicholas Lewis and Logan Rooney. Edozie had a team-high 23 for the Hurricanes, who are still awaiting that elusive first BCB win.
Derby Trailblazers (4-2) went an impressive 14-for-26 from three-point land in their 104-73 victory over a short-handed Hemel Storm (2-5).
Former Leicester Riders guard Conner Washington was unstoppable, going for 35 points and draining nine of Derby’s 14 triples. He also dished out six assists.
Daniel Braster had 22 points and nine rebounds for the London Cavaliers (4-2), who fought back from a five-point half-time deficit to defeat the Nottingham Hoods (3-4) 78-64.
Milton Keynes Breakers (4-3) used a 25-13 third quarter to beat the Essex Rebels (3-5) 72-65. British guard Jordan Spencer enjoyed a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Newcastle Knights (5-1) continued their impressive run in the BCB with a resounding 90-77 road win over the Loughborough Riders (1-6). Bradley Dean put on a scoring masterclass with 31 points to lead the Tyneside outfit.
And 19 points apiece from Ronald Blain and Faaris Mughaal gave the City of Birmingham Rockets (3-2) a hard-fought 93-72 road win against the Bristol Flyers II (0-7).
