QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It wasn’t ideal having the weekend off after our recent wins as we had momentum and ideally,
it would have been good to keep playing. The lay-off doesn’t take away from our goals of making the play-offs
and getting to semi-finals of the BBL Trophy.

Playing Rocks is going to be tough as I know Sterling Davis will have them
well prepared for the two games this weekend.

We just have to take it one game at a time and try to get the wins. It’s going to be a difficult challenge for us,
but I know were ready to make a push from now until the end of the season.”

David ALIU

GIANT’S FORWARD

Worcester Wolves have made the BBL Trophy Semi-Finals after beating Esh Group Eagles Newcastle 73-86 at Sport Central. They have won 13 straight games, and are the first team to beat the Eagles on their home floor since October, when Paul James’s side were victorious there in the league.

Zaire Taylor’s 24 points led the Wolves, but it was Jamal Williams who won the game, finishing with 23 points and four three-pointers. 11 of those points, and three of the triples, came in a scintillating four minute spell in the fourth quarter when the Wolves scored 16 straight points to win it.

Meanwhile, in the BBL Championship, Glasgow Rocks scored a crucial victory in the chase for the Playoff places as they beat Manchester Giants 85-80 at the Emirates Arena, snapping a four game losing streak in the process.

Fran Urli led the way with 20 points, including crucial baskets along the way, as the Rocks led from the early stages after a 10-3 burst in the first quarter inspired by six Gareth Murray points, although they did have to see off a late challenge.

There were comfortable victories for Worcester Wolves and Leicester Riders on Saturday night.

League leaders Worcester started fast and handed a heavy defeat to bottom of the table Birmingham Knights 117-60. Stefan Djukic led the Wolves scoring with 30 points as the visitors opened with an 11-0 burst and never looked back.

Leicester took until the third quarter to shake off the Raiders but once they extended a half time 42-36 lead to 60-38 the match was as good as over.

Riders eventually won 98-60 with Anthony Downing scoring 19 points to keep his team in touch with the Wolves at the top of the table.

Glasgow Rocks snatched up the last ticket to the BBL Trophy semi finals on Sunday evening, as they celebrated a 73-71 victory against Manchester Giants after Gareth Murray’s game-winning shot.

David Watts had tied the score at 71-71 with a long-range attempt with 24 seconds left, but Murray, who finished the game with 24 points, stepped up when it mattered the most, as Rocks prevailed.

Meanwhile in the BBL Championship, Brandon McGill and Isaiah Tate combined for 71 points, as Surrey United defeated the visiting Birmingham Knights 104-92 after leading from tip-off to the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Durham Wildcats used a fourth-quarter push to break away against Plymouth University Raiders, taking a convincing 89-66 in the end. Ralph Bucci paced the winners with 22 points, 17 rebounds and five assists.f the table.