SHEFFIELD STORM BACK TO CRACK ROCKS
- Updated: April 18, 2011
Sheffield Sharks overturned a 15-point deficit against Glasgow Rocks in the second leg of their BBL play-off quarter-final, storming to a 94-73 victory on Monday night to win 162-156 on aggregate.
And having dug themselves out of deep hole at the Kelvin Hall, who would bet against Atiba Lyons' men rolling all the way to Birmingham?
The hosts led by as much as seven in the opening quarter but the Cup winners have proved repeatedly that they can be an irresistible force.
A 7-0 run from Sheffield midway through the second period swung the momentum in their favour and they closed the half with ten unanswered points to lead 42-32.
Attempting to erase their overall deficit, the visitors made a concerted charge and twice went 13 points in front in the third. However, they saved their best to last as Glasgow’s challenge crumbled amid a spate of foul trouble which saw them lose Mike Kingma and Mike Copeland in the final minutes.
Great Britain forward Olu Babalola bullied the Rocks inside and Ryan Patton – who hit a game-high 23 points – punished the hosts lacklustre defence from outside with back to back three-pointers, as the Sharks took the aggregate lead for the first time with six minutes left before they pulled as much as 23 clear.
"Our backs were against the wall," said Sharks player-coach Lyons, whose side hit 31-33 from the foul line. "They really gave it to us in the first half but we stepped up and fought really hard."
It means the Cup winners will face Newcastle in the semi-finals with the opener at Sports Central on Friday (7.30) and the second instalment scheduled for Sunday at the EIS (3pm).
The other last four tie will pit Mersey Tigers against Cheshire Jets with the league champions visiting the Northgate Arena on Saturday (7.30) before the return at Manchester's Amaechi Centre on Sunday (6pm).
The Rocks will watch from afar after, as so often this term, they proved the masters of their own downfall.
“We gave ourselves a great chance but we lost sight of our game plan," said Glasgow coach Sterling Davis. "It’s been a tough season and it’s so disappointing that it ends here.”
EJ Harrison paced Glasgow with 15.
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