Reading Rockets 98 v 91 Newcastle University
Having a double header weekend is always very demanding on the players so with Leome Francis out ( knee ) and Kivuvu Live out ( reaction to a vaccination ) Head Coach Alan Keane not only had a depleted team but also had two power forwards missing so a re-think on Saturday night was the order of the day for Keane.
And how well he led his chargers as the starting 5 of O’Showen Williams, Reis Pinnock, Ben Dixon, Sam Toluwase and Sam Grant played most of the game and contributed significantly to this key win against a team with a 9-3 record and joint third in the table….and Sam Toluwase played with a dislocated finger strapped throughout the game !!
Rockets shot out of the blocks with a 19-9 early run as Pinnock lit up the opening exchanges with a pair of assists to Williams and Dixon respectively as well as tipping a Newcastle offense pass out of play. Grant and Dixon gave dishes to Williams who hit a brace of trebles extending Rockets advantage before a 21-8 Newcastle run saw the teams tied on 30 at the first break.
Newcastle capitalised on their first possession of the second quarter to take the lead for the first time which they extended to 39- 34 as Rockets missed with a few chances. Both teams scored regularly for the remainder of the period before Jaz Bains hit a treble to cut the deficit and Toluwase and Pinnock stroked trebles to see Rockets behind by 51-54 at the interval .
The 15 minute break was very welcome to the hosts having playing unbeaten Solent just 19 hours before, and how they imposed themselves was a delight to see as they took the quarter 24-18. Rebounding was key to their defensive strategy coupled to matching the sharp shooters in the Newcastle team as Rockets drained three trebles whilst reducing Newcastle to none. Toluwase hit a top of the key treble before taking down an offensive rebound to add to his personal tally as Rockets most improved teenager this season, Sam Grant, scored inside, rebounded exceptionally and caused Newcastle problems. Bains was quick thinking with an inbound to Pinnock who drove into the paint hard to finish moments before dishing a pass to Dixon to stroke another treble. As Rockets broke quickly again Newcastle were called for an unsportsmanlike foul and Rockets finished the stronger to edge ahead 75-72 as the final stanza beckoned.
Captain Ben Dixon again led the team from the front by taking another charge and causing Newcastle to get another technical foul as Rockets were on fire. Dixon’s fourth treble and an exchange between the two Sams, Toluwase and Grant saw the latter draining a treble and Rockets enjoying an 8 point lead just 4 minutes into the period. Grant took down an offensive rebound to score but with both team in foul trouble, Newcastle reduced Rockets advantage to just two at 88-86 . Grant appeared to score but the referees called a travel violation but he spurned himself on to play a key part in the end game scenario as he gave an assist to Williams, took down a pair of defensive rebounds and hit 3 from 4 from the free throw line as Rockets great team performance took them to a deserved victory.
Top scorers for Rockets were the veteran Sam Toluwase with a double double of 25 pts and 10 rebounds and 5 assists with point guard O’Showen Williams hitting 20 pts, taking down 5 rebounds and making 4 steals. Teenager Sam Grant hit 17 pts and took down 9 rebounds as Ben Dixon was electric from beyond the arc with 3 from 4 trebles in his 15 point tally though Reis Pinnock was everywhere with 10 pts, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals in all round excellent display .
Rockets now look forward to another double header next weekend where they travel to Barking Abbey Lions on Saturday before a return to their season long home venue of the John Madejski Academy on Sunday where they entertain Loughborough Riders.
