Plymouth Raiders pay price for poor second quarter in defeat at Glasgow Rocks

Glasgow Rocks...94 Plymouth Raiders...84

MARJON Plymouth Raiders paid the price for an off-night offensively in a 10-point loss at Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Championship.

Yesterday's defeat pushes Raiders' record back to 14-7 and down to fifth in the 12-strong division, while Rocks improved to 15-8 and suddenly leap up to third.

Surrey Heat remain 14-6 and fourth, and visit the Pavilions in a pivotal match-up this Saturday.

Raiders also entertain 17-2 joint-leaders Newcastle Eagles this Sunday in a busy weekend.

Rocks controlled yesterday's second quarter 30-18 and Raiders were ultimately done for from that point.

Gavin Love's team edged the 30 minutes surrounding that frame 66-64.

Raiders rallied within as few as five points, 81-76 early in the fourth, but were decisively outscored 13-8 in the remaining five minutes.

Raiders led by as many as six, 17-11 in the middle of the first frame on a three-pointer from guard and leading scorer Michael Ojo, who carried them offensively yesterday.

Ojo finished with a game-high 30 points, almost eclipsing Raiders' other three players in double-figures (Andreas Schreiber, Colin O'Reilly and Matt Schneck), who combined contributed 33 points.

Ojo finished 4/6 from the three-point line, while his team-mates together shot 1/10 threes.

Rocks' top two scorers, guard Donald Robinson and player-boss Sterling Davis, combined scored 44 points on 18/25 (72 per cent) shooting.

Rocks edged ahead 30-27 early in the second after outscoring Raiders 19-10 after trailing 17-11.

Ojo hit a three and then scored a two to keep Raiders in it and leave them down by five, 43-38 in the middle of the second.

Rocks led by nine, 47-38 on a pair of free-throws from Robinson.

Raiders pulled back within four, 47-43 after a basket from point-guard Rod Brown and three points from rookie Javarris Barnett.

But the gap was back to 10 points, 53-43 at half-time after Robinson added four more points and back-up forward Andrew Wedemire scored.

Rocks built the biggest lead of the night and went 62-47, 15 points up on a basket from Davis early in the third quarter.

The gap was still 14, 73-59 late in the frame.

Raiders threatened to pull the win out of the fire after a 17-8 rally slashed the deficit to 81-76 early in the fourth.

Ojo sparked it with eight straight points and four coming from the foul line.

Schreiber added 2/2 free-throws before guard Drew Lasker made a steal and scored to bring Raiders within seven points, 78-71 with the first basket of the fourth.

Rocks point-guard EJ Harrison drilled a three to rebuild the gap to 10, 81-71.

Ojo replied with a three on Lasker's assist to make it 81-74.

Schreiber then grabbed an offensive rebound and scored inside to cap the tear.

But Davis responded with a second-chance basket at the other end of the floor, punishing Raiders' inability to snare the defensive board.

Wedemire then stepped up in a huge cameo and scored Rocks' next six points, including 2/2 free-throws to regain the momentum and kill Raiders' rally.

Wedemire's final bucket rebuilt the gap to 12, 89-77 inside the final four minutes.

STATS

Scorers: Raiders: Ojo 30 points (9/17 field-goals), Schreiber 12 (4/7), O'Reilly 11 (4/9), Schneck 10 (4/6), Lasker 8 (3/7), Brown 6 (3/10), Barnett 5 (2/9), Williams 2 (1/1); Glasgow: Robinson 24 (10/14), Davis 20 (8/11), Harrison 12 (4/9)

Leading rebounder: Raiders: Schneck 8; Glasgow: Murray 6

Leader in assists: Raiders: Lasker 4; Glasgow: Robinson/Murray 7

Field-Goal Percentage: Raiders: 45 per cent (30/66 attempts); Glasgow: 58 per cent (38/65)

Three-Point Percentage: Raiders: 31 per cent (5/16 attempts); Glasgow: 56 per cent (9/16)

Free-Throw Percentage: Raiders: 86 per cent (19/22 attempts); Glasgow: 69 per cent (9/13)

RESULTS

BBL Trophy Quarter-Finals: Worthing 61 Cheshire 106

BBL Championship: Durham 89 London 84, Leicester 72 Sheffield 51