B A lions 82 v 79 Reading Rockets
In a game that swayed from Rockets to the hosts and then was a titanic battle as Rockets came f rom11 adrift with under 4 minutes to go to miss with a brace of treble efforts that could have given them the victory.
With Leome Francis still out with a knee injury the teenager Kivuvu Live started for Rockets, scored early and ended up their second top scorer as he worked hard and well inside. The young Lions fought tenaciously for every ball and the scorers were kept busy as the lead changed hands with almost every possession in the first quarter till Rockets finished with a 14-5 run to have a 28-20 advantage at the first break with the academy players, Latrell Maitland and Ronnie Oguekwe scoring and making assists. O’Showen Williams and Jaz Bains had hit their trademark trebles though both were to miss out in the end game scenario.
Rockets, having enjoyed an 8 point advantage, saw Lions turn the table in quarter two as they drew level with an 8 point period win of 23-15. Williams had scored a pair of quick scores and coupled to Chuck Duru finishing well inside, Rockets had opened up a 12 points lead. Rockets were still 6 points up with 4 minutes to the interval at 40-34 but a 9-3 Lions run, despite another Williams treble, saw the game tied on 43.
However a devastating poor quarter from Rockets which they lost 12- 29 as Lions hit three trebles and were more alert throughout the period caused consternation with Head Coach Alan Keane. Rockets were slow to defend and picked up many fouls though Bains scored with a treble but Reis Pinnock was called for a technical foul which Lions capitalised on from the free throw line. Duru hit a pair from the penalty stripe but Lions led 72-55 as the final quarter beckoned.
An 11-4 early Rockets run thanks to a brace of Bains trebles coupled to a Ben Dixon drive followed by a Dixon treble, stirred up the Rockets players. However the Lions just kept battling away and soon enjoyed a 79-68 advantage . Sam Toluwase made a lay-up and Pinnock another steal before Live received an assist from Bains to score before making another lay-up immediately after. When Toluwase was secure from the free throw line Rockets were just 4 points adrift with 1 minute 28 seconds remaining. Williams hit a penalty shot to reduce the deficit to just 3 points before Lions responded with a score. Live scored with a jump shot to see Rockets back to a single shot behind Lions as the clock showed 49 seconds to go. Rockets stopped Lions from scoring but missed a brace of trebles in this time to end up tantalisingly close but losing 79-82.
Again O’Showen Williams was Rockets top scorer with 21 points but Kivuvu Live made a huge impact with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the 18 year old as Jaz Bains grows into his Rockets role too with 12 points and 5 assists. Sam Toluwase was Rockets fourth player in double digits with 10 pts scored.
Rockets now play again tomorrow in what is 4 games in 8 days schedule.
(Images provided by Graham Hodges)
