In adversity sometimes comes strength. Edinburgh Rocks took their first victory of the BBL season on Sunday, defeating Newcastle Eagles 85-82 at Meadowbank despite the absence of two of their five imported guns.

Forward Gaylon Moore was already unfit but also out was guard Jerrell Bowman, suspended prior to the match for "repeated violations of team rules." 

However the numerical deficiency served only to inspire the remaining players who hustled and fought for every point against a lacklustre Newcastle team.

The Scots trailed briefly only once, late in the first period, their energetic play and consistent shooting paying repeated dividends. Veteran Iain Maclean rolled back the years to be the catalyst his team required and the Rocks rolled into a 46-39 lead at half-time.

Their advantage grew to as much as 14 points thanks to a 7-0 spurt to close the third quarter and although a late Newcastle rally trimmed the deficit to just one point in the final minute, Ted Berry converted four foul shots to take his game-best tally to 28 points and lift Edinburgh off the foot of the Northern Conference.

"I saw a group of guys who banded together," observed coach Greg Lockridge. "I thought they wanted to make a statement. We proved we have a foundation to build on. A week ago, we weren't sure if we had anything."

Lockridge expects to strengthen his line-up before Wednesday's visit to Sheffield. Work permits have been requested for Jo Jo Simmons, an ex-college team-mate of Berry's, and Rock Winston, who has spent the past year playing for Irish side Limerick. 

Out go Moore and presumably centre Chris Junge although Lockridge must replace Bowman who will be formally released on Monday.

Garboletto by contrast was disappointed with his team's performance and conceded that he and his players had taken victory too much for granted

"We just didn't come to play today. TJ Walker had a terrible game but he wasn't the only one. I'll be looking at the tape to see what adjustments we need to make."