Heat halt losing streak as they push for play-off place

GUILFORD Heat have kept their hopes of finishing in the top eight alive as they defeated play-off rivals Worthing Thunder in a high scoring game.

The Heat broke their recent losing streak to stay ninth in the table, now only four points behind the Thunder after a 104-101 victory.

At the half way point the Heat were only a point down on their hosts but it looked like they would not be able to get themselves back into the game as the Thunder dominated the third quarter.

But Heat's player-coach Chad McKnight took charge in the final quarter and was the game's highest scorer with 31 points while Julius Joseph notched up 27 and Kenny Langhorne added 23 for the visitors.

The Thunder remain in the final play-off place in eighth on 26 points and do have a game in hand on ninth-placed Heat.

The Cheshire Jets enjoyed a solid victory over the Essex Pirates 72-84 to move up to fifth in the table and level on points with fourth-placed Leicester Riders on 30.

The Jets struggled in the first quarter but Colin O'Reilly ensured his side picked up the pace in the remainder of the game getting himself 27 points in the process.

Paul Peterson also chipped in with 19 points as Chez Marks hit 16 for the Jets while Pablo Rodrigo was the highest scoring player for the Pirates with his tally of 14.

The Pirates have still only picked up eight points all season and keep their 11th place, just two ahead of bottom of the table PAWS Capital London.

Meanwhile, Airwaves Plymouth Raiders defeated fellow strugglers Worcester Wolves 93-84 but both teams lie six points off eighth spot on 18.

Rod Middleton hit 30 for the Wolves but it was not enough as the Raider's Tino Valencia scored 22 with Anthony Martin and Andrew Lasker both grabbing 19 points each.