Basketball: Brown staying cool as Riders see off Newcastle

Saturday night's 73-67 win at De Montfort University over BBL Trophy and Play-off title holders Newcastle Eagles, added their scalp to those of the league champions, Chester Jets, and the BBL Cup holders, Brighton Bears.

Throw in perennial contenders Sheffield Sharks, beaten at home by the Riders on Thursday night, and Brown might be tempted to aim his sights higher.

However, he said: "We've played well but we're not getting carried away because our names are top of the league in October. Our goal before the season was to make the play-off quarter-finals and it remains to make the play-offs."

Eagles' Jeremy Hyatt scored just one of seven three-point attempts and TJ Walker missed with 11 out off 17 attempts.

But Steve Bucknall and Ryan Huntley, twice, did score from long range to give Riders a 41-29 half-time lead.

Hyatt cut Riders' lead to 61-59, but, with 37 seconds remaining, Huntley hit a three and Tony Holley scored two free throws for a decisive 69-61 lead.

Last night Eagles responded with a 67-66 win at Brighton Bears while in another Championship game Scottish Rocks saw off London Towers 80-74.

SCORES, DIGEST, PAGE 67