13.3.2016: Plymouth Raiders - Glasgow Rocks 73:69
Plymouth University Raiders 73 (21,40,58) (Sturt 24, Corletto 17, Bailey/Butorac 9)
Glasgow Rocks 69 (15,31,50) (Achara/Hall 20, Gillis 13)
Plymouth University Raiders held off a late fightback from Glasgow Rocks to record a 73-69 home victory in a further boost to their Play-Off hopes.
Adrien Sturt produced a stellar double-double, in the absence of the suspended Cory Dixon, after putting up 24 points to go with 16 boards, while Daryl Corletto added 17 points in his side’s victory.
The home side were fast out of the blocks with a 15-6 start and stormed further clear in the second as a 13-2 burst opened up a commanding 15-point advantage at 34-19. Glasgow rallied somewhat with six straight, but still found themselves down nine at half-time.
Despite Plymouth’s struggles from 3-point range – 3-24 overall – a three from Sturt restored the double-digit cushion in the third with the Raiders up by as many as 17 points. However, 55-38 became 56-50 as the Rocks mounted a stronger fightback to give themselves a chance ahead of the final period.
Plymouth seemingly weathered the storm as they went 66-56 ahead with less than four minutes to go, but the visitors set up an exciting finish with a late 8-2 burst cutting the gap to just two points, before Corletto iced the win from the line.
The Rocks were unable to make it a successful back-to-back in the South West despite double-doubles from Kieron Achara, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Will Hall, who finished with the same points tally along with 13 boards.
Plymouth now join London Lions and Cheshire Phoenix on 11 wins, while Glasgow missed the chance to further close the gap on fourth-placed Sheffield Sharks.