For the second time in three weeks, the Reading Rockets have found themself on the on the losing end against the Hemel Storm. It was a similar story for the Rockets in the game as well, keeping it close and being very competitive in the first half. Then in the second half, the Storm took over.
Coming off the bench for the first time this season, Jermiah Jenkins led the Rockets with 24 points on 50% shooting, including hitting four of six threes. Jordan Jackson, also coming off the bench, found some space inside and added 12 points on 50% shooting. Reis Pinnock was the only other Rocket in double digits, dropping a good statline of 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
For Hemel, Taylor Johnson put in an MVP type performance, scoring 27 points in 27 minutes on 64% shooting as well as picking up 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Aaryn Rai dropped 25 on 75% shooting, including finishing off a roof raising alley oop dunk.
After impressive performances to start the season, Fin Porter found himself in the starting five and they went to him in the post straight away. Lewis Champion driving to the lane, found Porter in the post who put it up and in.
Troy Cracknell and the Rockets would find themselves in foul trouble early on, with Cracknell on two and Reading in the penalty just three minutes into the game. However the Rockets kept it close, even though Hemel would find timely threes that kept them just ahead throughout the first quarter.
With two minutes to go in the first, Johnson found himself on the fastbreak for the Storm, threw it high up in the air for a charging Rai, who finished it with authority, creating the highlight of the game. But it was short lived as the Rockets would go on a 9-2 run, including a Jenkins buzzer beater to end the quarter and tie the game up at 22 a piece.
After trading buckets to start the second, a Sardar Pandher layup tied the game at 26 apart. The Rockets then stopped Hakeem Sylla on the other end, which Porter converted into a fastbreak layup to take the lead of the game. Reading would hold that lead for three minutes, until they went on a little dry spell with four and half minutes to go. Johnson ended a 12-0 run for the Storm with two minutes to go to put the Storm up nine. Jenkins and Jackson would soften the blow going into the half, with Jenkins once again hitting a buzzer beating shot to bring the lead down to six.
The game was over in the third after the Storm went on a 15-3 run in the first five minutes to balloon the lead to 20 and Hemel never looked back. The Storm dominated the third quarter by a score of 36 to 19 and cruised to victory in a low scoring fourth, winning the game 103-79.
The next NBL game for the Rockets will be in Newcastle against Newcastle University.