Rockets dealt title blow
Published 11 Mar 2011 11:30
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READING Rocket's hopes of landing the Division One title were all but ended last night (Thursday) after a 78-66 defeat to league leaders Bristol Academy Flyers.
Point guard Jon May was out of the game with an Anchilles injury.
Niko Scott was the Rockets' top scorer scoring an impressive 30 points with five rebounds and five assists.
Rockets started very well taking down four consecutive offensive rebounds before Robbie Parker opened their account. A Scott dunk and a brace of threes from Matt Guymon and Scott saw Rockets take a 16-11 lead midway through the first quarter.
An arrow pass from Guymon to Steve Vaughan and a top of the key three pointer from Harrison Gamble saw Rockets have a ten point lead at 21-11. Flyers responded well with clinical passing and drew the scores level at 21 points apiece. Rockets missed a myriad of shots in the early part of the second period as Bristol's defence stood firm and they scored on most of their offences to extend their run to 21 points at 32-21.
Rockets captain Ryan Lohfink scored a pair of penalty points to stop the rot. A Guymon bounce pass to Gamble and a Lohfink finish saw Rockets reduce the deficit to just five points.
However, Guymon was called for his third foul so had to sit down as Bristol opened the gap to 11 again.
Another Gamble three pointer and a Niko jump shot saw Rockets into the dressing room 33-44 adrift and facing a tough game ahead with so much experience sat on the bench.
In a low scoring third period, Bristol imposed themselves as Rockets discipline wavered and Bristols defence held strong.
Five Guymon points and one three pointer from Scot saw Rockets lose this quarter 8-15 with an 18-point deficit at 41-59.
Despite a rousing final period, which Rockets won 26-19 with Scott hitting 16 personal points to take his tally to 30, Bristol deservedly took the spoils, and in doing so, effectively finished Rockets title hopes.
Bristol were superb on the night and Rockets had a disappointing performance, by the high standards they've set this season.
Rockets last home game is Saturday at 6.30pm at the University of Reading SportsPark.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 11 Mar 11
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