Twelve months ago, Great Britain's quest to earn promotion among Europe's basketballing elite stumbled as a rag- tag group won just two of their opening four games.
Add one NBA superstar in the making in the shape of Chicago Bulls tyro Luol Deng and another, Robert Archibald, who has tasted the world's finest league, and the quest to qualify for the 2012 Olympics has become all the more achievable.
Such class told last night at the National Indoor Arena. With Deng notching a game-best 21 points, and Archibald anchoring the hosts defensive effort while adding 14, Chris Finch's men destroyed Slovakia to move up to second place in Group B.
The Paisley-born centre provided ample glimpses of why he was Britain's highest NBA draft pick before Deng turned professional three years ago, dunking his first shot after coming on midway through the opening quarter to alleviate any lingering concerns over his ankle.
The Scot's initial contribution capped an early 6-0 run which pushed Britain towards a 19-4 lead after 10 minutes but it was in the second stanza that Deng rose above the fray, scoring four times in an 11-2 burst which effectively culled the visitors' ambitions.
Up 39-22 at half-time, Finch's men never allowed the Slovaks to come closer than 13 and each time Deng drove his lithe frame towards the hoop, or rose to make a spectacular block, there was an air of expectation among the 3000- strong crowd.
Archibald, an able foil, rifled six rapid points as Britain extended their advantage to 55-37 at the end of the third quarter and their cushion grew to as much as 36 in the fourth.
Meanwhile, the Rocks have brought two new sponsors on board ahead of the new BBL season. The Braehead outfit have agreed deals with Stewart Asset Management Group and the Verve car dealership to boost the plans of coach Sterling Davis.
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