Sharks maintain two point advantage

 SHEFFIELD Sharks had to come from behind to maintain their two point advantage at the top of the table with a hard fought home victory over Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders.

The Sharks were behind for the first three quarters but reduced the gap in the third and went on to close out the game 100-86.

A three-pointer from Ryan Patton sparked a 12-2 finish to the third quarter to leave the home side trailing by only a single point at 64-65 heading into the final quarter. 

The Riders, who now sit joint sixth in the league with Worthing, had held an 11 point lead during the third quarter but could not hold out and missed an opportunity to climb up to third in the table.

Mike Cook racked up 31 points in the game for the Sharks with Patton chipping in with 22 and Bradd Wierzbicki and Jason Johnson hit 21 a piece for the Riders.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Eagles kept up the pressure on the Sharks with a comprehensive defeat of PAWS London Capital at the Metro Radio Arena.

Despite a bright start from the Capital, it was the Eagles who were in control of the game from the second quarter and secured victory with a 112-66 score line.

Charles Smith was the game's top scorer as he netted 29 points for the Eagles, while Ibrahim Gariba led the scoring for the Capital with 23 points.

The Sharks and Eagles sit way ahead of the rest on 38 and 36 points respectively but have played six games more than nearest rivals Marshall MK Lions on 24, who defeated Worcester Wolves mid-week.

The Capital now find themselves sharing the bottom of the table with Essex Pirates on six points but having played three games less.