SBC GotW report: Lady Rocks 56-45 Perth Phoenix

Lady Rocks overcame Perth Phoenix 56-45 on Wednesday night to book their place against Sony Centre Fury in February’s SBC U18 Women’s Scottish Cup Final.

Rocks started the game strongly, storming ahead to an early 9-4 lead. The home side opened their scoring through a three-pointer from Ciara Burns (8 points) before Captain Sophie Loughran (15 points) added back-to-back baskets. Perth’s captain, Taryn Cummins (19 points), also added early back-to-back baskets for her side.

Rocks continued to extend their advantage as the first quarter unfolded, with Emma Dunsire (15 points) adding four consecutive points. Rosie Lloyd and Haylie Todd (10 points) added further baskets for the visitors but two late baskets from Loughran gave Rocks a double-digit advantage. 21-8.

Both teams traded baskets early in the second, with Amie Atkins (8 points) adding four quick points for Rocks. At this stage, Rocks led by a game-high 15 points as Perth struggled to get going.

However, from that point, it was all Perth for the remainder of the half. Both Cummins and Todd added numerous baskets – with Alex Ritchie and Hannah Eadie also adding their names to the scoresheet – as Phoenix recorded a 12-1 scoring run. With the lead closed to just four, Dunsire added a buzzer-beater for Rocks to go into the break up by six. 30-24.

A 4-0 start to the third saw Rocks restore their double-digit advantage for a second time. Cummins led by example for Perth, netting six of their next eight points, but Loughran was doing the same for the home side as she added five consecutive points for her team.

Down by nine, Perth ramped up their offensive efforts in the latter stages of the third and recorded an 11-3 scoring run. Lisa Low contributed six points before a three-pointer from Cummins was followed up by a late basket to make it a one-point game with ten minutes remaining. 44-43.

Both teams impressed defensively in the final quarter as the game went over seven minutes before the first basket was scored. Players on both sides produced several big blocks, whilst both teams also suffered from a lack of shooting accuracy.

With 2:55 left on the clock, Loughran added the first basket of the fourth and from there the floodgates opened, Rocks closing out the game with a 12-2 scoring run. Ciara Burns added three late baskets, which were followed up by two more from Dunsire, as Rocks restored their double-digit for a third and final time. 56-45.