Sharks edge Worcester in thriller

Sheffield moved themselves into joint fifth position with the Prestige Homes MK Lions and Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Championship table thanks to a thrilling 74-73 victory over the Worcester Wolves at the EIS, Sheffield on Friday night. 

In a thrilling contest, the Sharks led 68-61 off an Atiba Lyons basket midway through the final quarter, but the Wolves kept themselves in the contest as they bagged 10 of the next 14 points to trim the defict to just a single point at 72-71.

A Tommy Freeman field-goal with 15 seconds left on the clock gave the Wolves their first lead of the contest since the opening basket of the game at 72-73, but Jimmy Langhurst popped up for the home side to steal the victory with 7.5 seconds remaining.

Worcester tried to get an open look in the dying seconds to have a chance to win the game, but Arnas Kazlauskas’ two point attempt missed as time expired to hand the home side the all-important victory.

Earlier in the game, the Sharks had enjoyed the best of the opening period as they leapt out to a 12-point lead at 25-13 at the end of the first quarter, but the Wolves came storming back at them in the second period as they outscored their hosts 17-24 to trail by just five points at 42-37 heading into the locker rooms at the half.

In the second half both sides traded baskets throughout much of the third quarter and the home side were able to keep their noses in front as they lead by six points at 58-52 heading into the final stanza.

A combination of Zach Gachette and Olu Babalola led the scoring for the Sharks with 16 points, but it was Freeman who led all scorers in the contest as he netted an impressive 26 points for the Wolves in the defeat.