Glasgow Rocks 77 (24,42,61) (Achara 21, Hammerschmidt 13, Gillis 12)
Manchester Giants 69 (19,40,58) (Gill 16, Jones/Okoro 15, Larkai 13)

Glasgow Rocks closed in on the top four in the BBL Championship after overcoming a tough test at the Emirates Arena as they prevailed 77-69 against Manchester Giants.

Kieron Achara led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds to help his side claim their 13th league win of the season.

The Rocks were pushed all the way by their opponents, but pulled clear in the closing stages with Giants falling short of back-to-back wins despite the absence of Ingus Bankevics.

Jerelle Okoro shone early with five quickfire points to edge the Giants ahead, but it was the home side who finished the quarter with the final six points to gain a 24-19 advantage.

The visitors responded to re-take the lead in the second, but Achara was instrumental for the Rocks to help them into a slender half-time advantage. The gap never grew beyond five points for either side in the third period as the close encounter continued.

A three from Stefan Gill made it a two-point game in the fourth, but Glasgow were able to keep their opponents at bay and secured the victory with a 9-2 run late on. Head Coach Sterling Davis had the following to say after the win.

“It was a scrappy encounter, but I am glad we came away with the win. Credit to a shorthanded Manchester who put up a great fight tonight.”

The Rocks are now within one win of a top four position in the standings with a crucial double header away weekend ahead of them on the 12th and 13th March, when they take on the Bristol Flyers and Plymouth Raiders.