The Kularoos Plymouth Raiders broke the tie for third place in the BBL Championship table as they beat the SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks 83-79 at the Plymouth Pavilions. It was a huge win for the Raiders as it means that they have won the head-to-head series with their fellow title contenders.

DeAntoine Beasley led the scoring with 24 points, whilst the Raiders also had big scores from Gaylon Moore (19) and Drew Lasker (14). Player/coach Sterling Davis led the visitors with 23.

It was a tight game throughout as the teams traded baskets in the first quarter, with the Raiders edging ahead at 25-23.

The Rocks edged in front at the start of the second stanza before the Raiders posted a 10-2 burst, comprising back-to-back three-pointers from Allister Gall and 4 points from Gaylon Moore, to lead 37-30. The Rocks came back with a pair of triples of their own, but Moore scored twice more and Drew Lasker added the last basket of the half to keep the Raiders in front at 43-38.

The visitors started the third quarter strongly and soon drew level at 50-50. The home side responded well with an 8-1 push, capped by James Noel and another basket from Moore. Anthony Martin made the last score of the third quarter to see the Raiders go into the decisive period with a 61-53 lead.

A fascinating fourth quarter ensued as the Raiders took control early on when DeAntoine Beasley (7) and Anthony Martin (2) combined to score the first 9 points of the quarter. The lead peaked at 74-56 before the Rocks hit back. They scored the next 5 points and between the eighth and ninth minutes they scored 10 consecutive points, including 6 for Sterling Davis, to close the gap to 78-71. The Raiders were continually being sent to the line and it nearly cost them as they shot just 5/12 down the stretch. Davis added a three-pointer and Bilal Clarance matched that as the Rocks got close at the end, but the Raiders held on.