MK Lions 89 Jets 75

A DEPLETED BiG Storage Cheshire Jets side could not impose themselves on Milton Keynes on Wednesday as they lost their opening group match in the BBL Trophy.

Once more missing player/ coach TJ Walker and skipper James Hamilton, who is still not over his groin injury, the Jets never even got their noses in front at Bletchley Leisure Centre.

Jayson Obazuaye was the game’s top scorer, but it wasn’t enough as the Lions kept the visitors at arm’s length for the whole game to extend their unbeaten run to six games and extend Jets’ losing streak to four.

Kevin Griffin and Michael New gave the Lions their impetus early on as the home side built a 27-22 lead in the first quarter.

Both sides traded baskets throughout the second period, but the Lions maintained a five-point advantage at 47-42 going in at half-time.

In the second half, the Jets begin to eat into the Lions lead, and back-to-back three- pointers to close out the third period kept the visitors in touch going in to the fourth quarter at 63-57.

But the home side kicked on again and pulled away with some tremendous three-point shooting from Dru Spinks and Yorrick Williams. Griffin made sure of the victory for the Lions as he netted the last four points of the game.

Jets also lost last Friday in their first BBL Championship derby at Everton Tigers.

Jets coped well for the first three quarters, but the Tigers blitzed them in the final period and ran out 93-77 winners.

At half time the scores were tied 45-45.

The Jets had started stronger and led the first quarter 27-21, but Tony Robertson – Everton’s top scorer with 21 – led the Tigers back level before new signing Richard Midgley started to pile on the points.

Chris Haslem and former Jet Calvin Davis also came to the fore in the second half and a 70-61 third quarter lead was established.

The young Jets battled hard to get back into the game and Jayson Obazuaye led all scorers on the night with 29 points.

The Jets now have a break as they have no game this weekend. Their next match is the long trek to Plymouth Raiders on Saturday, December 29.