Oct 12, 2008 | 12:00 PM | NBA: Yesterday's Results

Everton Tigers moved themselves level with Newcastle Eagles at the top of the BBL Championship table thanks to a 73-78 overtime success over the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders at the John Sanford Centre on Saturday evening. The Riders led 64-58 with 3:11 remaining in the game, but an Andre Smith three-pointer for the Tigers got the score back to 64-61. Free-throws from Tommy Swanson (2 from 4) and Matt Martin (1 from 2) took the score out to 67-64 with 51 seconds left. A three-pointer from Marcus Bailey with 32 seconds left tied the game at 67-67, but Leicester had the opportunity to win the game in regulation, however Tony Windless' shot rimmed out in the dying seconds, and the game went to overtime. In the extra period, Windless made two free-throws early on to give the Riders a 69-67 lead. This was the last time the home side would lead as the visitors rattled off the next seven points to lead 69-74. Swanson again bought the Riders to within a point at 73-74, but Bailey's three-pointer in the dying seconds of overtime secured the victory for the Tigers. Earlier in the game, the Riders had enjoyed a 15-4 tear in the second quarter to go into the locker rooms 37-31 to the good. They also enjoyed their biggest lead of the game at 54-43 midway through the third period, before all the fireworks of the final minutes and overtime began. Swanson led the Riders scoring with 25 points personal, while Smith led all scorers in the game netting 26 points for the Tigers.

PAWS London Capital picked up their first victory of the season thanks to a 92-87 victory over the Guildford Heat at the Capital City Academy on Saturday evening. In a close game throughout, the scores were level at 66-66 going into the final stanza. In the final period, both sides continued to trade baskets, and with 1:20 remaining, London led 85-84. Free-throws from Chad McKnight (1 from 2) and Brad Jones (2 from 2) gave the visitors a slender two-point advantage at 85-87. London responded immediately, and Kaleston Wood netted the next seven points for the Capital as they ran out eventual winners. Earlier in the game, both sides had traded baskets throughout the first half and it was the home side that held a single-point lead at 45-44 going into the locker rooms at half time. In the second half, both teams kept up the defensive pressure on one another, but the visitors clawed their way back into the game and tied it all up at 66-66 going into the final stanza before the Capital's defensive pressure won through in the end. Wood led all scorers with 26 points for the Capital, while Chad McKnight led the Heat scoring with 20. Capital Head Coach Milek Jivens commented at the end of the game; "Today's game was very tactical and both teams didn't want to give it up" "It feels great to get that first win under our belts, and I am happy that the team are believing in the strategy that we are trying to play with." "Am especially happy to get the win after losing by 20 points yesterday, and makes it even more special to beat an established team like Guildford."