BBL Championship

Edinburgh Rocks 93 (26,48,69) (Gaines 29, Gardner 26, Graves 19)
Sheffield 80 (18,42,67) (Reinking 17, Phoenix/Payne 15)

It took 14 attempts over four seasons but Edinburgh Rocks finally ended their sole remaining hoodoo on Thursday night, defeating Sheffield Sharks 93-80 in the BBL Championship at Meadowbank on the back of a game-high 29 points contribution from American shooter Jon Gaines.

However Sharks coach Chris Finch was left apoplectic at the referees who threw him out of the game in the final moments - joining three of his players who had already fouled out.

Kevin Wall’s men picked up where they left off in a fine second half showing against Milton Keynes last Sunday, catching their guests cold with an energetic start. Building a double-figure cushion in the opening minutes, they continued to hold the Sharks at bay as a flurry from Ted Berry ensured Edinburgh held a 48-42 half-time lead.

Sheffield - who had lost Lynard Stewart to an ankle injury in the fourth minute - rebounded in the third period with a 13-2 burst which put them briefly in front. However point guard Ryan Huntley diligently re-ignited the Rocks, feeding centre Brendan Graves for a dunk at the close of the quarter which put their team up 69-67, an advantage which they would not 
cede as Justin Phoenix, Todd Cauthorn and Richard Windle all fouled out in the final quarter. 
 

Leicester Riders 87 (19,36,55) (Moore 34, Singleton 18, Blalock 17)
Newcastle Eagles 102 (23,55,85) (Hyatt 20, Walker 19, Dotchin 17)

Newcastle Eagles recorded their second victory over the Nurishment Leicester Riders in the space of a week to close the gap on the slumping Riders in third spot. 

The Eagles took control in the second quarter outscoring their hosts 32-17 to take control with runs of 12-0 and 8-0 and to lead 55-36 at the interval. Newcastle stretched their advantage in the third quarter to make the game safe at 85-55. Riders Tim Moore led all scorers with 34 points while Jeremy Hyatt fired 20 to lead the victors. 
 

Birmingham 84 (19,46,64) (Bailey 20, Craven 16, Johnson 15)
Milton Keynes Lions 81 (24,41,55) (Siemon/Kirk 20, Payne 17)

Cup finalists Pertemps Bullets Birmingham put internal squabbles aside to climb off the bottom of the BBL Championship Southern Conference after a nailbiting 84-81 success over the Milton Keynes Lions. 

Having trailed 64-55 entering the final period, the Lions staged a late comeback and trailed by just one at 83-81 with second remaining and centre Jason Siemon at the charity stripe. He however missed both of his free throws and Bullets John O'Connell was fouled after grabbing the rebound, the soon-to-depart Irishman sealing the win from the charity stripe. 

Brant Bailey for the hosts and Jason Siemon and Reggie Kirk of the Lions each posted 20 points.
 

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