REGGIE MIDDLETON'S arrival can be the spark Glasgow Rocks need to ignite their season, Kieron Achara claimed last night, after the American helped deliver an 81-75 win over Durham Wildcats in his debut at Newton Aycliffe.
It required a second-half surge to secure a result that lifted Sterling Davis' men up to seventh place in the British Basketball League with Middleton inserted into the starting line-up and rewarding the faith of his coach with a haul of 15 points and a primary role in keying a decisive 19-5 run.
And Achara, who grabbed 16 points and 14 rebounds, senses the guard's addition at the expense of the departed JaJuan Smith may steer the Rocks on an upward trajectory.
"Reggie's very dynamic," the Great Britain captain said. "He's a natural-born leader. Even in his first game, he wasn't scared to tell us what to do. It's still a work in progress. We had to be scrappy to get the win. But it gives us something to build on over the next few weeks to really integrate him in."
Former Rocks forward Fran Urli scored a game-high 19 for Durham who were 50-43 in front in the third period as their visitors appeared mired in an offensive funk. Yet with Jonny Bunyan adding 13 off the bench, and Durham falling away, Glasgow saved their strongest for last.
"In the second half, it started to come together more," Achara added. "Plus I was more aggressive in looking for my shots. JaJuan was a really effective rebounder so it was good to see other guys step up to assume some of that burden."
RESULTS
BBL. Durham Wildcats 75 Glasgow Rocks 81, Plymouth Raiders 65 London Lions 89, Cheshire Phoenix 85 Sheffield Sharks 91
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