Glasgow Rocks and the Worcester Wolves will contest the 2014 British Basketball League Trophy Final on March 30 after both teams came through their respective semi-finals at home.
The Rocks will have home court advantage with the final being played at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. But table-topping Worcester will start as favourites.
Rocks reach home final
The Rocks fought back from a six-point first leg deficit to thrash a woeful Cheshire Phoenix side 98-77 on the night in Scotland and 172-157 on aggregate.
After a close first half, with only a point in it, the Rocks exploded out of the blocks in a pivotal third quarter. Daniel Northern was dominant inside against a slow and sluggish Donatas Visockis as Northern scored freely, and with the BBL player of the Month Victor Moses on four fouls early in the period, Cheshire’s scoring options became slightly more limited.
Trailing by 20, and by 14 on aggregate, Cheshire were to make one last push. A three from Dominque Coleman, who had an off night mainly due to poor shot selection hit a three in the corner and Glasgow’s aggregate lead was down to only three points.
Veterans Sterling Davis and EJ Harrison came in to steady the ship for the Rocks and they did just that. A three from Harrison in the final minutes proved to be the dagger as the Rocks started celebrating.
Glasgow with the match won in the last three seconds still went for the score as the Phoenix had stopped playing, expecting the hosts to see off the remaining seconds. Devan Bailey chose to foul and his protesting of the Rocks’ lack of ‘sportsmanship’ led to him getting a technical and foul shots with no time left on the clock.
Northern had a monster of a game for the victorious Rocks as he had 29 points and 21 rebounds. A sublime double-double that he obtained in the first half.
GB international Gareth Murray added 21 points for the Rocks. Despite the foul trouble, Moses led Cheshire with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Worcester secure maiden BBL final
Worcester Wolves built on their slender 62-60 lead from the first leg to defeat the Trophy holders the Sheffield Sharks 84-70 on the night and 146-130 on aggregate.
The vital away win from the first game looked to be crucial as Worcester started the stronger of the two teams and raced to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter.
The Sharks briefly fought back in the second quarter but it wasn’t to be. The Wolves regrouped – and led by Alex Owumi – they led comfortably 46-34 at the half, and by 14 points overall. The Sharks tried to get back into the tie, but Worcester had all the answers.
Zaire Taylor led all scorers on the night with 30 points. Owumi added 18 as Worcester celebrated their first final as a BBL since joining from the second tier EBL Division 1 back in 2006.
BJ Holmes led the Sharks with 18 points.
