Towers on a high as Bucknall leads revival

London Towers staged a late rally to defeat Leicester Riders 93-86 at Crystal Palace on Saturday night, but the wear and tear of having played more than 40 games has sidelined the American Perry Carter for the next month with a knee injury.

London Towers staged a late rally to defeat Leicester Riders 93-86 at Crystal Palace on Saturday night, but the wear and tear of having played more than 40 games has sidelined the American Perry Carter for the next month with a knee injury.

Leicester seemed set to capitalise against travel-weary Towers, who had returned from midweek victories against Czech and Polish clubs to close in on a play-off quarter-final place in the North European Basketball League.

Leicester led 70-61 at the start of the fourth quarter, but two successive three-pointers from Steve Bucknall tied the scores on 72-72, before a 13-6 run put them in control at 85-78. Kendrick Warren had a game-high 25 points for Towers, who are seven wins clear at the top of the Southern Conference.

Newcastle Eagles trailed Birmingham Bullets by up to 15 points on Saturday night, but still won 112-107 at Aston Villa after one period of overtime. Virgel Cobbin's eighth three-pointer gave Bullets a 97-95 lead before the Eagles guard T J Walker sent the game into the extra period.

Sheffield Sharks won 99-91 at Derby Storm to replace Chester Jets at the top of the Northern Conference, after the Jets went top with their 105-66 win at Edinburgh Rocks on Friday. Manchester Giants beat London Leopards 95-83 while Milton Keynes Lions had a 85-82 win at Thames Valley Tigers.