RJ Eytle-Rock leads Sheffield Sharks to crucial win over play-off rivals Surrey Scorchers

Sheffield Sharks moved a step closer to cementing a British Basketball League play-off berth for a 29th consecutive season with a 71-62 win over Surrey Scorchers on Thursday night.

Sharks set the tone in a dominant first period and then had enough points on the board to withstand a late rally from Scorchers, who are also hot on their tails in the standings – Sharks sixth, Surrey seventh.

RJ Eytle-Rock, who spent a week with the Great Britain squad last month, top-scored with 16 points while Malek Green added 14 and Prentiss Nixon contributed 12.

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Bennett Koch continued to dominate on the glass with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Jalon Pipkins – who next week represents the Sharks in the All-Star Game – had 10 points.

Sheffield Sharks star RJ Eytle-Rock top-scored in the win over Surrey Scorchers (Picture: Tony Johnson)Sheffield Sharks star RJ Eytle-Rock top-scored in the win over Surrey Scorchers (Picture: Tony Johnson)
Sheffield Sharks star RJ Eytle-Rock top-scored in the win over Surrey Scorchers (Picture: Tony Johnson)

Green told Sky Sports: “It was a big match-up for us, it got tough down the stretch, we had to grind it out but it was a big win for us.

"We’ve been doing good collectively, everybody pitching in and we’re just chipping away each day.”