CHESHIRE, WORCESTER ARE QUICK ON THE DRAW - Hoopsfix.com

CHESHIRE, WORCESTER ARE QUICK ON THE DRAW

There’s no ties in basketball. But Worcester Wolves and Cheshire Jets ended the first leg of their play-off quarter-final deadlocked at 80-80 on Saturday night.

Only one team will survive Sunday’s return at the Northgate and book a spot in the last four.

However Worcester earned themselves a reprieve after rallying in the fourth quarter

Cheshire – led by a game-high 31 from Adam Brown – were 65-50 in front late in the third period before squandering much of their hard work.

 

A Richie Gordon basket with 1:28 remaining in the game gave the Wolves a 77-76 lead, but the Jets responded with a Nathan Schall bucket to retake the lead.  A Freeman free-throw and Sherrad Prezzie-Blue basket handed the home side the lead back at 80-78 with 31 seconds to go, but a Brown basket with 20 seconds left set up a fascinating second instalment.

Earlier in the game, a 12-3 start to the game from the Jets put the visitors well into the driving seat.

In the second period, six points from Kazlauskas and a Tommy Freeman three-pointer put the Wolves ahead 37-35 with four minutes remaining in the half.  However a Bill Cole basket sparked a 10-3 finish to the half for the visitors  to go 45-40 clear at the break.

In the second half, the Jets kept up the pressure on the Wolves and were able to steadily increase their lead over their hosts, but the home side kept themselves in the game and a Freeman free-throw closed the deficit to nine. However the visitors broke the game open as an Adam Brown basket sparked an 8-2 burst to take the Jets lead out to 15.

The Wolves ended the third quarter the stronger as they bagged the final five points of the period to trim the deficit to 65-55 heading into the incredible final period.

Newcastle cruising

Slump? What slump? Newcastle Eagles bought their starters back into the fray and dished out a 93-56 drubbing to Guildford Heat in the first leg of their BBL play-off quarter-final.

Joe Chapman’s 33 point haul for the Eagles was the standout performance for the league champions as they effectively booked a last four place, leading by as many as 37 points at the end of the contest off the back of six points from Andrew Thomson and a huge three-pointer from Chapman.

And bar a miracle, it means Guildford’s season will end at Surrey Sports Park on Sunday afternoon for the return leg.

Up 48-32 at the break, the Eagles extended their lead further as they enjoyed a 21-8 burst to take the score out to 73-43 towards the end of the third period.

Leicester Riders take a huge lead into their second leg with Sheffield after they defeated the Sharks 92-76.

Rob Paternostro’s men started strongly and 7-0 runs at the end of the first and second quarters helped the visitors take a 51-31 advantage at half-time.

The second half saw the Riders, paced by 25 from Cameron Rundles, continued to extend their advantage and a 6-0 run at the start of the final period gave the visitors their biggest lead of the contest at 84-54.

However the Sharks – led by 23 from Olu Babalola – gave themselves a slender chance heading into the second leg at Loughborough on Sunday as they ended the game with a 22-8 burst.

 

Plymouth on top

Glasgow Rocks suffered an 84-79 defeat at Plymouth Raiders in the opening leg of their BBL play-off quarter-final.

However Sterling Davis’ men, who host the return tie on Sunday, are still firmly in the hunt for a place in the last four despite blowing a nine-point lead.

American guard Mychal Green hit a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Kelvin Hall outfit were pounded in the fourth quarter as Plymouth rescued their own hopes with a spirited rally.

“It’s going to be won on Sunday,” said Rocks captain EJ Harrison. “It’s good to be home in the second leg and that’s always an advantage but you know they’re going to fight, just like we’re going to fight, because the loser goes home for the summer.”

An early 8-0 run sent Glasgow 22-13 clear in the first quarter before Plymouth finally sparked into life. And although Andy Wedemire hit a three-pointer that restored the visitors prior advantage midway through the second period, the Raiders rallied to cut the deficit to 54-53 at half-time.

As the frenetic pace slowed, Green maintained his personal push to help the Rocks remain in control with Harrison converting from long range to open up a 65-59 lead for his side late in the third. However Plymouth – paced by 26 from Jeremy Bell – produced a final flurry, out-scoring their guests 22-12 in the final period, to grab a priceless advantage ahead of their trip north.

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