Basketball: Pressure on Heat as title race comes to the boil

Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Sharks maintained the pressure on BBL leaders Guildford Heat last night, with victories that pulled them level with the Surrey club on 15 wins. But the Heat still hold the edge from having played three games fewer than their rivals, and can take control of the title race if they beat Sheffield at the Guildford Spectrum tonight and win at London United tomorrow.

Last night the Sharks were 91-70 victors over bottom club Worcester Wolves, who are at home to Newcastle tonight. Last night the Eagles, the defending champions, held off a dogged Chester Jets 84-77 to take their winning streak to 10.

Player-coach Fab Flournoy, named the BBL's coach of the month for January, led the Eagles with 23 points. The Jets fought back to lead 74-69 early in the final quarter, but a 9-0 run regained control. Chester's recent signing Lewis McCulloch led all scorers with 30 points while Jaz Cowan added 22 for the Jets.

Joel Burns scored 18 points, including five-threepointers, for Sheffield in their 91-70 victory over Worcester.