DURHAM Wildcats suffered a blow to their play-off hopes against the Glasgow Rocks at Durham University yesterday evening.

Dave Elderkin’s side were thrashed 99-73 by an in-form Glasgow side that showed BBL viewers why they are towards the top of the Championship.

Durham were joint ninth in the table at the start of the weekend. But with Cheshire Phoenix causing a shock by beating the Newcastle Eagles on Friday, Elderkin’s side needed a victory to keep them in the hunt for a play-off place.

However, with the Scots lying third in the BBL standings, Wildcats were up against it.

And the visitors started in style with Jamie Vanderbeken sinking in from the three-point line as Glasgow looked to dictate at the Durham University arena.

The Glasgow defence looked solid for the start as Durham were unable put any points on the board in open play within the first two and a half minutes, Andrew Keister the only scorer with a free throw. In-form Brad Guinane looked sharp for the hosts, but Durham couldn’t deal with the quick offensive play from the Rocks.

Glasgow forward Sterling Davis recorded 17 points to give his side a commanding lead of nine at the end of the first quarter.

The Rocks came out in the second firing on all cylinders and managed a 13-point run in the first five minutes of the quarter.

Wildcats came back strongly and finished the quarter on a positive note with point guard Mike Baldarelli beginning to pull the strings.

He hauled Elderkin’s men into the game with the score 52-38 in Glasgow’s favour at the half-time buzzer.

Durham came out in the third looking to continue their strong finish in the second, but couldn’t prevent the Rocks from scoring.

Despite a flurry of points for Keister the hosts were still struggling to gain any ground, the visitors leading by 17 going into the final part. Despite both teams contesting well in the final quarter, the Rocks managed to extend their lead beyond the reach of Durham.

Leicester Riders stayed two points clear of Newcastle Eagles at the top after both teams recorded away wins.

Leicester eased past Cheshire Phoenix 69-60.

Charles Smith and Kareem Maddox both collected double- doubles to help Newcastle thrash Plymouth Raiders 96- 79 .