Essex Rebels fall to Reading
The Essex Rebels suffered an 80-60 defeat away at the Reading Rockets in their latest British Championship Basketball match.
With the hosts level on points with the Newcastle Knights at the summit of the league table, the Rebels knew to expect a tough fixture heading into the match.
A trademark Tom Child three-pointer helped the Rebels into an early lead in the opening minute, before the hosts stamped their authority on the match. Ben Winter did his best to reduce the deficit for the Rebels, after converting both of his chances from the free-throw line before getting a dunk and a three-pointer to go.
Despite the Rebels’ strong start, they trailed by four points going into the second quarter as the score read 27-23.
The hosts began to pick up steam, with Cooper Creek’s two-point lay-up and three-pointer widening the gap between the two sides. The forward added another late in the quarter, while Yusef Salih added one of his own to make the score 47-34 heading into halftime.
After the break, the Rockets continued to show their title credentials as they maintained their pace in putting further distance between themselves and the Rebels on the scoreboard.
Salih’s jumpshot put the hosts 15 points ahead, before three-pointers from Child and Winter for the Rebels made the score 56-48 before the final quarter.
A fast start for the hosts saw the Rebels fall away, as former Rebel Victor Olarerin’s dunk made it a 20-point lead. In spite of their best efforts, the Rebels couldn’t overcome the deficit, as the game ended 80-60 to the hosts.
Following the defeat, Head Coach Joe Hart said:
“Despite the 20-point loss, there were some big improvements on the defensive end. Holding a very good Reading team to 80 is where we want to be. We now just need to clear up a few things offensively.”
The Rebels will have the chance to do just that in their return to the Essex Sport Arena on the 14th February as they take on the Derby Trailblazers in more BCB action. Tickets are available here, now!
TOP PERFORMERS
Reading Rockets
- Victor Olarerin: 19 points – 5 rebounds – 1 assist
- Cooper Creek: 16 points – 10 rebounds – 3 assists
- Malik Bryant: 12 points – 4 rebounds – 3 assists
Essex Rebels
- Tom Child: 17 points – 3 rebounds – 2 assists
- Ben Winter: 16 points – 4 rebounds – 4 assists
- Isaac Temilola: 8 points – 8 rebounds – 4 steals
By Nicholas Melton
