Storm sweep past disjointed Rocks
Edinburgh Rocks fell to their third straight reverse in the Dairylea Dunkers Championship, losing 87-100 at Meadowbank to Derby Storm, despite a season-best 32 point tally from John McCord.
An even first 20 minutes saw the lead exchange hands no fewer than seven times, but when Derby capitalised on a series of Edinburgh turnovers to notch ten straight points late in the second quarter, the visitors held a worthy 36-44 half time lead.
Hostilities between the Northern Conference rivals had threatened to spill over at the tail of the third period as McCord clashed with Derby’s John Tresvant, the pair receiving a technical foul apiece for their shadow boxing. A further one was awarded against the Storm coach Martin Ford for his protestations, resulting in four free throws which McCord gratefully converted to reduce the huge 14 points deficit.
Seven straight points at the start of the final period further closed the gap and when ex-Storm guard Joel Burns converted a trio from the foul strip, the Rocks had closed to 78-79 with five minutes left. But Derby’s defense battened down the hatches and their players converted a series of penalty shots to deservedly seal Edinburgh’s fate.
“16 turnovers in the first half, most of them unforced tells its own story. It’s a disappointing performance,” said Rocks coach Jim Brandon.
Darrian Evans capped an excellent game for the Storm with a 29 point haul, the result evening the season series at 1-1.
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