Basketball: Lions advance to final

Nigel Lloyd, 40 years old and playing his last season in the British Basketball League, led Milton Keynes Lions to the first final in the franchise's history with a 73-63 win over favourites London Towers in the BBL Trophy semi-finals at Coventry's Skydome on Saturday.

Lloyd, the player-coach, now stands in the way of the clean-sweep aspirations of the Trophy holders, Chester Jets, who defeated London Leopards 92-83 in the other semi. Lloyd was previously a Trophy winner with Thames Valley Tigers, one of his six clubs in a BBL career that began 16 years ago and finished with stats of 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds.

The Lions trailed 52-49 at the start of the fourth, but began the final period with Leon Noel and Rodney Alexander in the back court, freeing Lloyd to find shooting positions.

Chester, who have also already won the National Cup this season, found Saturday's win easier than Friday night's 93-92 BBL Championship victory at Leopards.

The American Tim Moore has walked out on Leicester Riders, further damaging their hopes of defending their Championship title.