Rockets lose out in quarter final battle - Bristol 71 Rockets 52

In a low scoring game with both defences prominent and finishing being made difficult by the intensity and importance of the knock out phase of the Championship, it was the final quarter that saw Rockets stumble and League runners up Bristol Academy Flyers, go through to the Final Fours in 2 weeks time.

The final score didn't reflect the game which was nip and tuck for three quarters with the first period tied on 16 as Flyers hit a buzzer beating three pointer to draw level before they did likewise at the end of the second quarter to edge ahead by 7 points. Rockets fought back in the third to just 3 points adrift before Flyers again struck the last shot to maintain an advantage, though just 5 as the final period began.

EBL Division 1 Play off Championship quarter final    Saturday 14^th April 2012  Tip off 7 pm

WISE, Filton College Campus

Bristol Academy Flyers 71  Reading Rockets 52

In a low scoring game with both defences prominent and finishing being made difficult by the intensity and importance of the knock out phase of the Championship, it was the final quarter that saw Rockets stumble and League runners up Bristol Academy Flyers, go through to the Final Fours in 2 weeks time.

The final score didn't reflect the game which was nip and tuck for three quarters with the first period tied on 16 as Flyers hit a buzzer beating three pointer to draw level before they did likewise at the end of the second quarter to edge ahead by 7 points. Rockets fought back in the third to just 3 points adrift before Flyers again struck the last shot to maintain an advantage, though just 5 as the final period began.

Rockets had a fit and full squad as they headed to Bristol who had finished their league campaign with 5 consecutive wins....their last loss being against Rockets in March.

Flyers were first to trouble the scorers but led by their captain, Ryan Lohfink, Rockets went on a 14 - 6 run to lead until the buzzer when the scores were tied on 16 each. Mike Matzeder was prominent with his rebounding stopping many Flyers scores whilst young Lewis Champion scored with his trademark drive, drawing the foul and scoring the bonus point. Matzeder stole the ball and also finished with a lay-up as Luke Nelson drove successfully to the basket causing Bristol to call a time out as Rockets were in the ascendancy and had a 4 point lead at 14 - 10. Harrison Gamble scored Rockets’ final points of the first period as the teams were level on 16's.

Though Matzeder again commanded the boards and stopped another Flyers offence with a block, the Bristol team hit 6 unanswered points causing Rockets Head Coach, Samit Nuruzade to call a time out as they hadn't scored in the opening 4 minutes of this second quarter. Champion took a charge and then sent an arrow pass to Lohfink to convert into 2 points moments before Nelson hit a very long two, took the defensive boards and gave Gamble  his 7th personal point and the first three of the night for Rockets, now just a single point adrift at 24 - 25. Turnovers and steals from both sides saw Nelson add to Rockets total but again a buzzer beating 3 pointer took Flyers to the locker room with a 33 - 26 advantage.

The third  quarter was Rockets’ best as they won it 18 -16 with captain Lohfink leading by example and scoring 10 personal points with Gamble prominent at both ends of the court with rebounding and scoring. Jon May stole the ball for 2 more points and sent an assist pass to Lohfink to lay-up again. The smallest player on the court, May took key rebounds as Rockets fought to be in the Final Fours. A Nelson dish to Lohfink on the buzzer was another highlight of this period as Champion hit a jump shot to leave Rockets down by 5 at 44 - 49 as the final quarter beckoned.

This quarter saw the referees as the busiest and most prominent  men on the court as Bristol quickly enjoyed a 14 point lead at 60 -46 as Rockets had fallen foul of the 3 referees and were in team foul trouble with Flyers not having been called for any misdemeanours. Though obvious at this stage it was to be the principal dividing fact in the final quarter when Rockets were called for 12 fouls and Flyers none as Rockets' disappointment and dismay boiled over with Coach Nuruzade being called for a technical foul as he again asked the referees why Rockets were being called for fouls and Bristol none. With Parker on 4 personal fouls and Nelson being fouled out, the 17 - 2 run by Flyers was decisive but didn't reflect the tightness of the game between two well matched sides. 

The final score flattered the Flyers though they finished more clinically on the night, especially from the free throw line where Flyers captain Greg Streete hit 10 from 12 out of the team’s 23 from 34. Rockets only had ten attempts scoring half of them. Flyers are now off to the Final Fours which Rockets beat them in last year and where Flyers have been on 3 previous occasions, never having reached the Final. We wish them all the best.

Top scorers for Rockets: Ryan Lohfink 20 and 7 rebounds, Harrison Gamble 12 and 5 rebounds, and Luke Nelson 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.