BCB WEEK 8: NEWCASTLE MAKE STATEMENT; READING RIDE ON

The landscape of the BCB standings has drastically changed as the two teams from the North sit pretty at the top, with the Reading Rockets breathing down their necks, having played two games less.

Key Storylines

• Newcastle make statement after a double-winning weekend
• Reading remain unbeaten with win over Nottingham
• Loughborough secure second win as they aim to get back on track

Recap

It was a double-winning weekend for the Newcastle Knights (7-1), who go to the summit of the BCB standings along with the Yorkshire Dragons.

On Saturday, Knights came away with a gripping 122-118 double overtime victory over the Essex Rebels (3-6) in what was arguably the game of the season so far.

Hafeez Abdul rescued Newcastle in regulation with a pair of throws in the dying moments, which was equalled by JaRon Thames, with five seconds to go in the first period of overtime.

The Knights would eventually win the battle at the death with Thames proving to be the hero as his three-point play with under 10 seconds left gave the visitors a 122-116 lead, which sealed it. Harry Gent’s score as the seconds ticked down proved too little, too late.

Thames would end with 41 points, as he played all 50 minutes in a herculean effort, with the same to be said of Abdul, who added 35. For Essex, Miles Brown put up monster numbers of 50 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Anyone who thought Newcastle would be fatigued going into the second game of their southern adventures against the Worthing Thunder (6-2) was sorely mistaken, as they showed grit to come away with an 89-82 win.

Thames ended with a game-high 30 points, helped by double-doubles for Abdul (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Messiah Jones (17 points, 11 rebounds) to guide the Tyneside outfit to victory. Matthew-Bryan Amaning led Worthing with 18, but they dropped their second game in a row.

Reading Rockets (6-0) shot an impressive 54 percent from the field as they defeated Nottingham Hoods (3-5) 101-71 to remain unbeaten in the Championship

The Rockets overcame a slow start, trailing 15-7, and countered with a stunning 25-2 run overlapping into the second quarter to take firm control and leave the Hoods in the dust.

Victor Olarerin went 8-for-14 from the field for 24 points. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and four assists. Simon Chamberlain would add 22, going 70 percent from the floor. Tyrone Williams had a game-high 28 for Nottingham.

Loughborough Riders (2-6) secured their second win of the Championship season with a deserved 105-81 win over the Milton Keynes Breakers (4-4).

Jalen Cook exploded for 41 points, hitting eight three-pointers, supported by Michael Joiner’s 21 points and nine assists. Xavier Wilson led MK with 23 points. 

Yorkshire Dragons (7-1) overcame a tough test as they beat the City of Birmingham Rockets (3-3) 98-92 in the Midlands.

Nick Lewis led the Dragons with 25 points and seven assists, helped by a customary double-double from David Ulph, who had 13 points and 18 boards. Zach Powell led all scorers with 32 points on 9-for-11 shooting for the Rockets.

Juan Manning came up clutch for the London Cavaliers (5-2) as they inflicted more heartbreak on the Bristol Hurricanes (0-8), edging them 70-69.

Manning would connect with 20 seconds left to seal the win and keep the Hurricanes winless. Daniel Braster led the victors with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Hemel Storm (3-5) drained 16 three-pointers and shot 61 percent from the field as they defeated Bristol Flyers II (0-8) 131-97 in a free-scoring contest.

Veteran British guard Jack Burnell shot a season-high 31 points and went 9-for-14 from distance to lead the Storm. Taylor Johnson added an impressive 25 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing out on becoming the third player in the BCB to record a triple-double.

Nassim Ladjimi led the Flyers with 36 points as they too connected on 15 triples, but remain without a win this season.