BBL Trophy: Surrey United beat Essex Leopards in first round

Surrey United avoided an upset against Essex Leopards to reach the BBL Trophy quarter-finals and record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

United survived a late scare to win 69-64, following up their dramatic win against Durham Wildcats last weekend.

"Getting one win is nice but following it up with a second shows it was not luck," said United's Kramer Knutson.

Essex, Reading Rockets and Falkirk Fury all entered the first round of the Trophy but failed to cause a shock.

Glasgow Rocks hit 20 three-pointers as they thrashed Falkirk 112-46, while Newcastle Eagles matched that points total by beating Reading 112-90.

Also in the last eight are Plymouth Raiders after they ended Cheshire Phoenix's winning streak at 10 with a 109-100 success, helped by 28 points and 10 rebounds from Jordan Clarke.

Sheffield Sharks emerged from the all-BBL tie with Manchester Giants, while Leicester Riders and London Lions also advanced.

Reigning champions Worcester Wolves relied on last year's final MVP Jamal Williams to knock down some clutch free throws as they eliminated Wildcats.

There were also four BBL Championship games, with Great Britain international Kieron Achara providing the highlight for Rocks with a late three-pointer to defeat Lions.

Leeds Force stepped up their pursuit of a BBL Play-off spot with victory against Giants, while Riders and Wolves edged Sharks and Bristol Flyers respectively.

Sheffield Hatters maintained their WBBL Championship push and built on last weekend's WBBL Trophy triumph by beating Sevenoaks Suns 103-64, thanks to 26 points from Great Britain international and Trophy final MVP Steph Gandy.