Mersey Tigers moved four points clear at the head of the BBL as they defeated the Worcester Wolves 95-73 at the Echo Arena.The league leaderswere held close in the early going, but after a 16-4 burst in the opening period to take the score out to 27-14 they never trailed again in the game. The visitors managed to get back to within two points at 45-43 heading towards the half-time interval, but a 16-5 burst for the home side in the third quarter took the score out to 75-57 heading into the final stanza.
A 12-2 burst in the final period gave the home side their biggest lead of the game at 89-66 and, led by 20 points from Tafari Toney, they held on for the all-important victory.
Plymouth Raiders picked up a 112-77 victory over the Worthing Thunder at the Pavilions.
Runs of 14-5 and 10-2 in the third period ended all hope for Worthing getting themselves back into the game as the Raiders took the score out to 77-55 heading into the final period. The hosts – paced by 22 apiece from Chez Marks and Evaldas Zabas – also enjoyed themselves from behind the arc as they shot an impressive 75% from three-point range in the game.
Saturday: Wolves break skid
Worcester Wolves ended their four-game skid on Saturday night with a 111-95 victory over Guildford Heat behind 35 points from Rod Middleton.
The in-form Heat began solidly and led 8-6 before Worcester seized control. A 14-3 run with six points each from Middleton and Callum Jones, gave them a 22-11 lead. Guildford rallied to close to 25-19 but Middleton ended the quarter with a three to take it 28-19.
There was no let up in the second period as Justin Dobbins and Daniel Gilbert stretched the Wolves lead back into double-digits again. Middleton was again proving a tough match-up for Heat as he scored seven points in the quarter – the last three making it 56-39 at half time.
Wolves continued to pile on the points during the third quarter. A Middleton three sparked a 17-4 burst to take the score to 73-47. Dobbins scored eight points in this stretch with three assists from Middleton.
Heat could only contain Worcester for the rest of the period, although a Mike Martin three did reduce the deficit slightly to 88-67 with the final stanza to play.
An 8-0 opening to the fourth quarter by Worcester ended any hopes of a Heat recovery. The home teamâ€
s lead peaked at 103-72 on a Middleton bucket.
Guildford made the score respectable by ending the match with a 23-8 burst, but it was little more than stat-sheet filling for the well-beaten visitors.
Wolves head coach Paul James was understandably delighted with his teamâ€
s performance. He said:  “This victory has been a long time coming. We have been playing well and have had the opportunities – tonight we took them. Iâ€
m really pleased for the players and our supporters.â€
Mersey Tigers moved two points clear at the top of the table with a narrow 83-77 win over Leicester Riders.
Tafari Toney led the Liverpudlians with 22 points and 9 rebounds, adding two free-throws with 18 seconds left that saw off a late rally from the hosts.
Rob Paternostroâ€
s men had been on the backfoot for most of the match and trailed by 11 early in the fourth quarter. However, six points by Ryan Zamroz in a 19-7 run gave Leicester a 72-71 lead and it seemed as though they could snatch the win.
Tigers, though, rebounded and once Nate Reinking had put them ahead with a three in the final minute a combination of Toney and Andrew Sullivan kept their cool from the free throw line.
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