GB Olympian, Kieron Achara top scored in both of Glasgow Rocks’ victories this weekend to take the team’s winning streak up to four games.
The 29 year-old was pleased with his overall performances with a 24 point haul helping the Rocks to an 82-76 win over Surrey having also added a game high 23 points in Plymouth the night before.
“I’ve been shooting the ball well and I’m still adjusting to the physicality of the league,” said Achara.
“It was a big win for us because Surrey are a great team defensively. That’s four in a row now and we want to keep working our way up the league.”
Kieron Achara adds a block to his double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds
The visiting Rocks raced into an early 10-1 advantage with Donald Robinson contributing five points. Surrey finally got going and closed the gap with a 9-2 response only for Glasgow to move ahead again with the next seven points as they led 21-14 after ten minutes.
Caylin Raftopoulos and Andrew Wedemire both came off the bench to trade triples at the start of the second. Achara also found the net from long range, sparking a 9-4 run as Glasgow continued to remain in control.
The Scot then finished the half with a three point play as the score read 43-34 in favour of the Rocks. Achara then took his tally to 19 points when play resumed with his side’s opening seven points as the lead entered double figures.
The home side halved the deficit but another three from Achara began a 7-0 spell as the lead peaked at 59-47. Travis Holmes scored his first points for the club on his debut before his twin brother, Chavis, saw his three point attempt blocked by Gareth Murray to finish the third with Glasgow leading by ten, 61-51.
Chavis Holmes evades Achara on his way to a team-high 20 points
Roared on by their fans, Surrey reduced their arrears to just a single point after an 11-2 start, capped by an emphatic dunk by Frank Holmes. Sterling Davis responded with his second score from beyond the arc as the lead crept back up to six points.
Surrey got within four points on three occasions in the final stages but that was as close as they were to get as EJ Harrison held his nerve at the free throw line. The former-Heat player nailed all eight attempts from the charity stripe to seal a fourth consecutive win for Glasgow.
Surrey’s captain, Julius Joseph, was confident his team could bounce back from their first home league defeat of the season whilst praising the acquisiton of Travis Holmes.
“We kept fighting after a slow start and that’s what we will continue to do because we know what we have to do to win. It’s good to have Travis here and I’m sure he will be a great addition to the team,” said Joseph.
Roger Black MBE was in attendance at the Surrey Sports Park and was invited to do a guest tip-off before the game.
“It was the first time I’ve brought my kids here and they loved it. The result was a shame but it was a great afternoon and I’ll be back!” said GB’s former 400m Olympian.
In other results; Plymouth responded from losing 97-84 to Glasgow with a 108-98 win over the London Lions in which Colin O’Reilly added 29 points while Manchester’s struggles continued with an 83-81 defeat away to Cheshire after a late three from Chez Marks.
Leicester moved further clear at the top with a comfortable 79-40 win over Mersey on Saturday with a 24 point haul from Connor Washington taking the scoring honours.
BBL TABLE: Leicester Riders 10-1 (20pts); Newcastle Eagles 8-1 (16pts); Surrey Heat 7-2 (14pts); Plymouth Raiders 6-3 (12pts); Worcester Wolves 6-5 (12pts); Glasgow Rocks 5-3 (10pts); London Lions 4-7 (8pts); Durham Wildcats 3-6 (6pts); Cheshire 3-6 (6pts); Manchester Giants 3-8 (6pts); Sheffield Sharks 2-6 (4pts); Mersey Tigers 0-9 (0pts)
Images courtesy of AD Bowler
