Westfield Sharks Sheffield came from behind to defeat the Thames Valley Tigers 91-87 and
ensure that they head into 2001 as the top team in the BBL Championship Northern
Conference. 

Tigers entered the match minus Chandar Bingham - released this week "by mutual consent" after the American centre expressed his dissatisfaction with life in the BBL.

"This has nothing to do with the recent disciplinary action, it was a personal decision by Chandar," said Tigers coach Paul James. He has struggled to come to terms with the BBL style of play and after considerable thought, has decided he would be better off returning home.

"It was a shock to the team, we do not like losing players part way through the season, but we wish him well for the future."

James' remaining players barely seemed to notice his absence, building a 12 point advantage before Sharks' perimeter shooting put them back in the game towards the end of the third quarter. 

They picked it up further in the final period and went ahead at 74-71 thanks to a three-pointer by Iain
McKinney. 

However Tigers came back to create a tense finish, but five straight points from Zac Bennett
down the stretch sealed the win for Sheffield. 

Bennett scored 19 points, while Tigers' John McCord led all scorers with 25 points.