Basketball: Kats fall foul of Rocks in overtime

Glasgow ROCKS beat  Edinburgh Kool Kats 80-72  after overtime in a controversial top-of-the-table Scottish Women’s League game at Portobello High School yesterday, which has given the Cumbernauld-based side the edge in the title chase though Kats, Capital rivals Polonia Phoenix and Rocks are all now on three defeats.

Polonia, who have the better head-to-head record with the Rocks, kept their hopes alive with a 66-51 away win over alleged “bogey” team St Mirren, helped by veterans Les Jackson (14 points) and Julie Ritchie (12).

Yesterday’s result was heartbreaking for Kats, who were ahead by 13 points midway through the final quarter then suffered a dramatic collapse as the Rocks went on a 17-2 run to lead 65-61.

A three-pointer from Emma Findlay brought Kats back from the brink and a Hannah Peacock rebound put them one up with 14 seconds left.

Siobhan Moore had the chance to win it with two free throws, but sank only one and it was into an extra five minutes.

But the wounded Kats had already lost Sarah O’Brien with a knee injury, were without Irish cap Shauna O’Connor and were in foul trouble – the count was 28-15 against them – losing three of their four top scorers: Tracey Phillips, Leanne Page (both 16 points) and Louise Gray (10). Rocks dominated the extra period, Moore finishing with 19 points and Rona  Corkindale 18, while Hannah Peacock added 14 for Kats.

“As with Polonia last week I want it known I’m seriously unhappy with the refereeing,” said Kats coach Ben Gunn.

The disqualification of  Stirling’s Mark Duncan for a bad foul on Lee Reilly was the main talking point at the Peak Centre where Edinburgh Kings were 107-63 victors over a Knights team who had upset Falkirk Fury the previous Friday.

Reilly had 28 points and 16 assists, Ed Rekis 18 points in only 17 minutes and Simon Flockhart 18 and 13 rebounds.

Kings juniors ended Tayside Musketeers’ unbeaten run with a 62-56 away win at Arbroath and are only one defeat behind with two games left with Kings due to play Boroughmuir Blaze next Saturday.