Home Domestic Leagues British Basketball League round up (week 22)

British Basketball League round up (week 22)

The BBL championship is looking a little clearer, but it could still change ahead of next week’s first v second encounter between Worcester and Newcastle and the Trophy semi-final picture is complete.

Worcester Wolves maintained their strong position at the top of the table with a 117-60 win over basement side Birmingham Knights. The Wolves led 11-0 at the start and led 29-11 after the first quarter as they eased to the win.

Stefan Djukic led the Wolves with 30 points as they remain six point clear at the top, while Birmingham remained winless.

Unfortunately for the Knights, their miserable weekend was complete as they went down 104-92 to Surrey United in Guildford.

Brendan McGill and Isiah Tate combined for 71 points with the former exploding for 39 as United gain their fourth win of the season, sweeping the Knights in the process.

Brent Benson led Birmingham’s charge in the Surrey loss with 31 points.

Moving up the table again and the Leicester Riders put on a masterclass as they thrashed the Plymouth Raiders 98-60.

After coming back from looked to be a season-ending injury, Anthony Downing led the BBL Cup winners with 19 points as they kept putting pressure on the teams at the top.

Donald Robinson had 15 points to lead Plymouth.

Plymouth’s weekend was made no better as they lost in the north-east the next day 89-66 to the Durham Wildcats.

Veteran Ralph Bucci led the Wildcats with 22 points as they continue their best season as a BBL club.

Sheffield Sharks took a major step in the title race by moving level with the second place Newcastle Eagles by beating their rivals 94-92 in an exciting finish in Yorkshire.

BJ Holmes drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer to seal the win for the Sharks as they move level with Newcastle and have played a game less than the north-east outfit.

Holmes finished with with a game-high 23 points for Sheffield; cancelling out Malik Cooke’s 22 for the Eagles.

The Glasgow Rocks get the better of the Manchester Giants 85-80 as they snap a four-game losing streak.

Fran Urli led the Rocks with 20 points as they try to push their way up the table.

BBL Trophy last four determined

The BBL Trophy semi-final line-up is complete after Worcester Wolves and Glasgow Rocks booked their places at the weekend; the Wolves earning a tie against holders Sheffield Sharks, while the Rocks will take on Cheshire Phoenix.

The Wolves came through a tough encounter at the Newcastle Eagles prevailing 86-73 after putting in a huge fourth quarter performance.

Wolves’ Jamal Williams played a big role in the win, scoring 11 of his 23 points during a 16-0 fourth quarter run which turned a 60-56 deficit into a 72-60 lead that proved insurmountable for the Eagles.

“It was a huge game, maybe the biggest of the season to date, and it kept us alive in the Trophy,” said Wolves’ point guard Zaire Taylor, who led all scorers with 24 points.

“A lot of people had good games, but Jamal Williams (pictured) put us on his back and carried us in the fourth quarter.

“Some people are surprised with how Jamal stepped up big for us, but I expect to see more of that the remainder of this season.”

Glasgow Rocks are a step closer to next month’s final, which will be held in the Scottish city, after their dramatic 73-71 win at the Manchester Giants on Sunday

Gareth Murray, who led all scorers with 24 points, scored the game-winning basket with just nine seconds remaining, and the Rocks held on after Giants’ David Aliu missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.

BBL Trophy semi-final line-up:

Worcester Wolves vs Sheffield Sharks

Glasgow Rocks vs Cheshire Phoenix

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