BBL Championship
Chester Jets  86  (17,42,58)  (McCord 28, Hamilton 22, Davis 18)
Sheffield  87  (27,40,61)  (Phoenix 20, Stewart 16, Scantlebury/Monaco 11)

Sheffield provided another twist the race for the Northern Conference title with a
thrilling 86-87 win at leaders Chester Jets, the Northgate side unable to produce a miracle recovery after two victories in the previous 48 hours. 

After Sheffield made a great start, Chester came back into the game in the second quarter and it was tight from then onwards. Each side enjoyed third quarter runs, but the game was nip and tuck right through to the final period. Pero Cameron gave the Jets the lead with 27s left with a three-pointer, but Nate Reinking’s free throws made it 87-86 to the Sharks with 21s left. Jets almost lost the ball with 1.6s left, but from the ensuing jump ball they were unable to get a shot off. 

John McCord had a game high 28, whilst Justin Phoenix led the visitors with 20 as the Sharks booked themselves a play-off spot.
 

Leicester Riders  79  (22,38,61)  (Johnson 24, Blalock 18, Singleton 15)
Leopards  81  (18,36,58)  (Brown 21, Kimbrough 19, Robinson 11)

Leopards collected a 79-81 win at Leicester Riders thanks to a Martin Henlan basket with just 3s left in the game. Despite playing their third game in as many days, Leopards stayed with their hosts throughout and the biggest lead in the contest was six points. A Revonte Dantzler three was cancelled out by one from Ralph Blalock which tied the game at 79 inside the final minute. After Riders missed however, Jason Kimbrough found Henlan for lay-up and though Riders had a chance to win it, Larry Johnson’s three-pointer rimmed out. 

Johnson led all scorers with 24, whilst Rod Brown had 21 for the visitors.
 

Birmingham  96  (21,50,70)  (Garcia 26, Bailey 22, O’Connell 20)
Thames Valley Tigers  86  (17,29,56)  (Bowman 35, Meldrum 17, Jamison 16)

Pertemps Bullets Birmingham claimed their tenth win of the campaign with a 96-86 victory over Thames Valley Tigers. 

Bullets dominated the first half leading by as many as 22 just before the break. Thames Valley repeatedly tried to close the gap, but it wasn’t until a 7-0 tear in the final period
that they got with in toughing distance. That burst made it 82-79 with 2.30 left in the game, but a Brant Bailey three point play doubled the Bullets advantage and they edged home from there. 

Antonio Garcia was in fine form with 26 points and 12 rebounds, whilst Barry Bowman led all comers with 35.
 

Brighton Bears  94  (31,53,72)  (Duck/Johnson 16, Farrington 15)
Newcastle Eagles  95  (25,44,74)  (Hyatt 25, Myers 23, Walker 20)

Newcastle Eagles came from behind to snatch a dramatic 95-94 victory at Brighton Bears. TJ Walker was the hero of the hour netting the game winning free throw with no time left on the clock. 

Earlier a 10-0 first quarter burst put the home side 25-17 ahead and they remained in front until the third period. Eagles rattled of a 13-3 tear of their own to lead 72-70 just before the final break. The game was tight throughout the last period, but Bears had the ball with 5.7s left and the game tied at 94. A turnover, though, allowed TJ Walker to race back for the Eagles, draw a foul as time expired and win the game from the line. 

Jeremy Hyatt led all scorers with 25 points.
 

London Towers  94  (25,51,75)  (Eppehimer 16, Mann/Robbins 15)
Derby Storm  86  (15,44,62)  (Robinson 22, Griffin/Peterson 16)

Kinder London Towers extended their lead at the top of the Southern Conference with a 94-86 success over Derby Storm. 

Towers opened up a 28-15 advantage early in the second quarter, but Derby rallied
to lead 40-38. London finished the half the stronger, however, and were back in front 51-44 at the break. The game was tied at 60 late in the third, but a 15-2 finish to the period had the home side on their way to victory at 75-62. Brett Eppehimer hit four of Towers 13 three pointers in his 16 points, whilst Durrell Robinson led all scorers with 22 points.
 

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