Glasgow Rocks coach Sterling Davis admitted his team were the masters of their own misfortune as their record unbeaten streak was ended at the 13th attempt with a shock 77-75 loss at Surrey Scorchers.
The Scots fell victim to a stunning comeback in the closing stages as Surrey avenged their BBL Cup semi-final defeat of eight days earlier by coming from 16 down by holding the Rocks to just five points in the fourth quarter, eventually taking their lone lead of the contest when Quincy Taylor pulled out a three-point play with three seconds left.
It cost Glasgow the chance to move into second place in the British Basketball League and Davis was fuming at the way the Rocks collapsed after leading by as much as 16.
“As a coach and as a team, you play every game and separate them out,” the American said. “The streak we were on has been a topic of conversation because of the records and you never want it to end. I told the guys I can take losing. I’ve lost big games in my life. But it was the manner we lost that I’m not happy with. Credit to our guys for what they’ve done but there’s always a sour taste when it’s no longer there.
“We didn’t play smart. Our defence let us down when we came down the final stretch. We made some very uncharacteristic plays and we let them play to their strengths. They did a great job of forcing us into mistakes – we had 22 turnovers – and that allowed them to bring the score back. I was disappointed in how we finished off the game to say the least. I expected it to be a grind but we had opportunities to win the game and we didn’t take it.”
A late slump also cost Caledonia Pride the opportunity of their first-ever Women’s British Basketball League win. The Scots lost 83-74 in overtime to Cardiff Archers in their debut home game at Oriam after leading by 13 in the third period, with American centre Tricia Oakes notching 25 points and 13 rebounds.
RESULTS
BBL. Surrey Scorchers 77 Glasgow Rocks 75
WBBL. Caledonia Pride 74 Cardiff Archers 83 OT
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