BBL: Glasgow Rocks bow out of BBL Cup

The Glasgow Rocks fought hard but One Heath Sharks Sheffield fought harder, proving too much for the Scottish side on Friday night, overcoming a deficit in the final quarter to earn a BBL Cup semi-final spot.

After trailing 59-46 at the beginning of the final quarter, Sharks scored the first 12 points of the period to come within 1 point before 3-pointers by both Micah Williams and Andrew Bridge gave them a 2-point lead at 68-66, their first lead since the end of the first quarter.

An ‘and-one’ play from Kieron Achara briefly gave the Rocks back the lead before baskets from Olu Babalola and Williams had Sharks up by 3.

Andrew Wedemire brought the Rocks to within 1 point at 72-71. Kieron Achara blocked Olu Babalola’s shot before Rocks’ EJ Harrison missed a go-ahead shot.

The Rocks then forced Babalola into a turnover giving them a chance to make a game-winning shot. However, the Sharks defence stopped EJ Harrison connecting once more to earn a spot in the BBL Cup semi-finals.

Earlier, the Sharks started out well, taking an early 12-2 lead after 5 minutes, with Mike Tuck already having 8 points and 5 rebounds for them before the momentum swung towards the Rocks and they went on a 21-3 tear to lead 23-15. However, once the Sharks were able to find the basket once more they managed to reduce the deficit to 34-31 by half-time.

But after the break, the Rocks were the better side, going on a 22-11 run to lead 56-42 after a Kieron Achara ‘and-one’ play. Shots from Bridge and Babalola reduced the lead to 13 heading into the fourth, where the Sharks were able to put together a great performance.

Sharks’ Micah Williams led all scorers with 23 points and added 7 rebounds, while Mike Tuck scored 16 and pulled down 13 boards. Rocks’ Kieron Achara led their scorers with 22 points, as well as pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking four Sharks shots.

One Health Sharks Sheffield 72 (14, 31, 46) (Williams 23, Tuck 16, Daye/Babalola 10)
Glasgow Rocks 71 (15, 34, 59) (Achara 22, Harrison 12, Wedemire 10)