The Glasgow Rocks showed their credentials as playoff contenders as they put on a great display of basketball to overcome a challenging Sheffield Sharks side 81-76.
Glasgow were led by Mychal Green who recorded 18 points in conjunction with an excellent 15 point effort from EJ Harrison. Andrew Wedemire bagged a notable double double of 12 points and 10 rebounds with his opposite number Mike Tuck collecting 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Sharks started well with Ryan Patton, who had 18 points and 7 assists on the night, shooting from beyond the arc to spark a 7-4 run early in the opening exchanges. That lead didn’t last long as the visiting Glasgow side punished the Sharks as a quickfire five points from Gareth Murray took the score to 17-9 on a blazing run from the Rocks. Further scores from Sheffield’s Olu Babalola and Wedemire saw the score peak to 22-14 after the first 10 minutes.
Glasgow continued their offensive momentum extending their lengthy advantage to 30-18 with Harrison in fine scoring form. The Sharks managed to cut the deficit into single digits thanks to an excellent drive to the basket from Patton and make Tuck taking his tally to double figures inside the first half. Danny Huffor nailed a three point dagger and Harrison took the score out to 41-26 completing a three point play hitting a shot as he was fouled. Patton wouldn’t allow the lead to slip away any further as he sunk another three to end the half at 41-32.
In the second half, it was a much closer affair despite the visitors opening on a 6-0 run spearheaded by the effoerts of player-coach Sterling Davis. Nate Reinking came in an immediately changed the flow of the game as he hit back to back three pointers to take the score to 50-39. Shortly after Harrison hit a jumper with a clever step back, the Sharks went on a 9-0 burst with Babalola sinking six points to bring the game within four points at 48-52. The Rocks maintained their offensive pressure to lead by eight points heading into the final period.
Patton hit consecutive triples to trim the deficit to eight points and then Reinking followed suit and nailed a three of his own to bring the Sharks within five at 68-63. Murray slammed the ball home completing an impressive alley-oop and Green scored to keep the Sharks at bay. Patton and Tuck showed great team work to try and ignite a comeback but it was too late as Harrison rounded off an emphatic win for the Rocks heading into the playoffs.
