Basketball: Sheffield seen home by Myers

Sheffield Sharks 75 Greater London Leopards 68 (Sheffield win series 2-1)

THE SHARKS, and Terrell Myers, came alive in the fourth quarter at Bonds Forge last night to reach the play-off semi-finals at Wembley in two weeks' time where they will bid to add the Budweiser Championship play-offs to their Budweiser league and National Cup triumphs. Myers scored 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Sharks finally subdued the magnificent Leopards to stay on course for the treble.

Sheffield scored only two field baskets in a third quarter dominated by the Leopards' inspirational captain, Robert Youngblood, and Eric Burks. Yet, so tense and tight was the defensive battle that when Myers squeezed in a last second lay-up for Sheffield, Leopards led only 50-49 with 10 minutes to play.

Leopards denied Todd Cauthorn the space he had exploited on Wednesday night, when he shot seven three-pointers in Sheffield's 100-82 win.

Sheffield's strong start last night was halted by an 11-2 Leopards run to take a 15-13 lead. Sharks responded with seven straight points but three pointers from Stedroy Baker and Rashod Johnson held Sheffield to a 22-21 first quarter lead. Cauthorn, Peter Scantlebury, Wil Johnson and Myers built a 9-0 run to give Sheffield a 36-27 lead. But as the Leopards threatened to fall away, Youngblood dragged them back into the game with nine consecutive points to leave the Sharks clinging to a 42-37 half time lead.

n Dennis Rodman has been released by Los Angeles Lakers after only two months. The flamboyant star has missed several matches and training sessions without explanation.