McCord propels Jets to championship summit

Chester Jets' 102-89 win at Newcastle Eagles leaves them as the only unbeaten team in the BBL Championship, after both Sheffield Sharks and Birmingham Bullets lost on Saturday night.

Eagles, who also began the weekend with an unbeaten record, fell behind in the final quarter as eight points from John McCord pushed the Jets into a 100-78 lead.

Jets took over the leadership of the northern conference courtesy of Sheffield's 71-65 defeat at Brighton Bears, who barely held their nerve to score five out of eight free-throws in the final 90 seconds to hang on to victory.

Peter Scantlebury opened the final quarter with two three-pointers to cut Brighton's lead to 59-58, but the defence and rebounding of Wilbur Johnson and Sterling Davis repeatedly frustrated the Sharks' offence.

Thames Valley Tigers ended Birmingham's unbeaten start with an 85-78 win at Bracknell, while Leicester Riders enjoyed their third straight win, beating Milton Keynes Lions 96-92.