A LAST-QUARTER meltdown led to Reading Rockets being eliminated in the NBL Division One quarter-final play-offs following an 87-71 defeat to Team Solent Kestrels.

Captain Danny Carter hit the first pair of points from the free-throw line before Chris Hooper made his trademark spin to add to his side’s early tally.

When Carter sent a dish pass to Ali Sbai to sink a wide treble and Craig Ponder drove to score Rockets enjoyed a 13-8 advantage.

However, Kestrels finished the first quarter with a 14-4 run to edge ahead 22-17. Despite a Ponder treble and a Fidel Gomez finish Rockets soon trailed by 10 points at 34-24.

Six from six from the penalty stripe by Ponder kept Rockets in touch and the first of Juan Valerio’s three trebles coupled to a hook shot from Carter saw Rockets close to 43-39 at half time.

A Sbai treble launched Rockets’ attack with Valerio edging the Berkshire outfit ahead by two, but a pair of quick fouls called on Hooper saw the threat to Kestrels’ basket reduced as the American was forced to sit out.

Nonetheless, the Rockets players fought tenaciously and scored the last four points of the period to go 60-56 in front at the end of the third quarter.

But Kestrels were on fire during the final stanza as Rockets wavered, and the visitors moved 77-67 in front with just three minutes remaining.

Kestrels’ run continued to 21-7 as Rockets could not buy a basket, their injury-hit side ultimately missing out on a semi-final spot.

Top scorers for Rockets were Ponder with 22 points, Hooper with 15, Valerio and Sbai with nine each and Carter with eight.