Aldermore Reading Rockets came home from a two-game northern trip with two wins, 94–79 at Newcastle Knights on Saturday and 91–83 at Yorkshire Dragons on Sunday, with a short rotation doing the heavy lifting both days.
Saturday: Newcastle Knights 79, Reading Rockets 94
It was tight early and Reading led only 43–41 at half-time. The third quarter decided it: the Rockets won it 26–13 to lead 69–54 and never looked back.
Reading dominated inside with 62 points in the paint to 26. They also won the boards 45–31, shared the ball for 24 assists and shot 56% from the field (40 of 71).
Jaxon Nap played all 40 minutes for 28 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists on 13 of 19 shooting. Jaylen Curry added 18, Toby Holmes 14 on 6 of 8, and Yusef Salih 12 with 6 assists. Live Kivuvu gave a lift off the bench with 9 points in 8 minutes, and Mo Walker pulled down 12 rebounds. Luke House led Newcastle with 27.
Sunday: Yorkshire Dragons 83, Reading Rockets 91
Less than 24 hours later, and with Yusef Salih out injured, all five starters played at least 33 minutes, Jax Bouknight 39 of the 40.
The Dragons were hot from three (14 of 28) and led 47–44 at the break, with Corey Johnson scoring 30. Reading kept their shape and won the second half 47–36, closing with a 25–18 final quarter.
The difference was inside and on defence. Reading scored 58 points in the paint to 26, made 12 steals and turned the ball over only 6 times to the Dragons’ 15. That gave them 18 points from turnovers to 7.
Mo Walker was outstanding with 29 points and 16 rebounds on 14 of 23, plus 2 steals and 2 blocks. Jaxon Nap added 20 on 7 of 10, Jaylen Curry 17 including 3 of 4 from three, and Jax Bouknight 14 with 9 assists and 3 steals.
Weekend in numbers
2 wins from 2 away games
185 points scored, 162 conceded
120 points in the paint, 52 conceded
45 assists
Jaxon Nap: 48 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists
Mo Walker: 38 points, 28 rebounds
Jaylen Curry: 35 points
What’s next
One more road trip, to Loughborough Riders on Saturday 31 October (6pm). Then, after 34 days away, the Rockets are home at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre on Saturday 7 November against Hemel Storm, 7:30pm. Tickets are going fast and we want a sell-out: https://www.intix.co.uk/event/bcb-league-aldermore-reading-rockets-vs-he
