Jets edged out in weekend of woe

Apr 14 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

IT was a disappointing weekend for BiG Storage Cheshire Jets as they slumped to back-to-back defeats in close-run games over the weekend.

A 96-91 away loss to Worcester Wolves on Saturday was followed 24 hours later by a 100-97 setback against BBL basement boys Birmingham Panthers at the Northgate Arena.

Jets led 91-83 going into the closing stages of the Birmingham game, but an 11-2 run from the Panthers brought the score back to 95-94 with 24 seconds remaining.

An Adam Williams three-pointer and two free throws from Gianni Costantiello made it 97-97, before Daniel Sandell won it at the death by launching a huge three-pointer from the halfway line as time expired.

Matt Otten led the Jets’ scoring with 26 points, but it was Williams who led all scorers in the game with an impressive 30-point haul.

Saturday’s match at Worcester was a see-saw affair.

Wolves were well in control during the first quarter, but Jets fought back and runs of 6-0 and 5-0 handed them a 46-43 half-time advantage.

The lead continued to change hands several times during a hectic third quarter. James Life and Anthony Paez connected for one of many alley-oops as the home side forged 65-61 ahead.

Wolves were well in the ascendancy in the final stanza at 89-78, before a 9-0 Jets burst made it interesting. But Paez and Life worked their routine again to settle the nerves of Skouson Harker’s men as they pulled away to the victory.