Basketball: Rocks hang on for hard-fought win

British Basketball League leaders Scottish Rocks began a tough weekend on the road with an 85-82 overtime win at Milton Keynes Lions last night, before facing second-placed Leicester Riders tonight.

The Rocks trailed narrowly at the end of the first and second quarters, pulled level at 54-54 at the end of the third quarter and looked to have snatched victory when Rob Yanders scored two free-throws to give them a 71-69 lead. But Shawn Jamieson, who led the Lions with 23 points and 10 rebounds, scored with one second remaining to force overtime at 71-71.

Overtime ebbed and flowed until Jean Francois scored two free-throws to extend the Rocks' lead to 85-82 and they survived when a Junior Williams three-point attempt rimmed out.

Perry Lawson scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, for Newcastle Eagles in their 102-75 win over Brighton Bears. Jerry Williams scored 27 points on his Bears debut.