THE fog of gloom that has engulfed Glasgow Rocks lifted, if only a little, last night as Sterling Davis’ men clawed their way out of their recent slump with an 88-82 victory over Surrey Scorchers. Winning will not cure all ills. Grave concerns remain.
Before the game, the club’s long-time owner Ian Reid addressed the dressing room to personally communicate his discontent. “When it happens, it’s not a good thing,” Davis conceded. The result moved his side up to fifth in the British Basketball League but it was hardly an emphatic response.
It does not help Davis’ cause that Canadian guard Jordan Clarke has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury. His absence provides only a sliver of an excuse. Surrey, inexperienced and ineffective this season, led for much of the first half before a 7-0 run took the Scots 42-38 ahead at half-time in spite of their offensive glitches.
The Scorchers re-heated and a 10-2 burst put Glasgow under the cosh. Kieron Achara, who had nine of his game-high 30 points in the third period, personally galvanised a response. And although the visitors spiritedly drew level at 77-77 with two minutes left, the Rocks accuracy from the foul line, where they missed only five of 29 attempts, offset myriad flaws elsewhere.
“It wasn’t pretty for us,” Davis admitted. “There were stretches of good defence but offensively, we’re a little messy right now and we need to sharpen up. But hopefully a win gives us some confidence.”
RESULTS
BBL. Glasgow Rocks 88 Surrey Scorchers 82, Plymouth Raiders 75 Leeds Force 62, Cheshire Phoenix 76 Leicester Riders 91, Bristol Flyers 66 Newcastle Eagles 106
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