TCS Chester Jets 76, Plymouth Raiders 68: DESPITE being without injured skipper Calvin Davis, who went under the knife 24 hours earlier, Jets recorded their second win of the weekend against BBL new boys Plymouth on Sunday.
The Texan centre is now facing a month on the sidelines but Jets have attempted to soften the blow of his absence by bringing back England international Delme Herriman on a short-term deal.
Herriman quit Jets four games into the season when they were unable to find additional funds to pay his salary, but he has agreed to fill the gap in the roster while Davis is out.
Coach Paul Smith said: 'We brought Delme back at short notice but we said we'd keep in touch. We have his registration and my Christmas wish would be to sign him for the season. Mike Burton has worked really hard on securing our budget but we'd need to extend that further if Delme was to join us permanently, so I'm the bad guy in this, pressuring him for cash.
'The game wasn't pretty but we had to fight hard. Shawn Myers stepped up with important baskets which is something he's done all season. I always feel comfortable when the ball is in Trey Moore's hands and Billy Singleton has a new lease of life. He told me the other week he can give me more and with Calvin missing, he has a lot on his plate as a leader of this team.'
Without the financial backing to attract big-name stars, Plymouth are a gritty and hardworking unit and pushed Jets most of the way.
In many matches, Trey Moore's sparkling form would have been enough to see his side romp ahead, but Jets led just 16-15 at the end of the first quarter.
A quartet of downtown bombs from Raiders' long-range ace Alastair Gall and some determined drives to the hoop by DeAn-toine Beasley helped the visitors to a 42-32 lead at the break.
It took a rejuvenated Jets less than three minutes to regain the ascendency in the third quarter, with a brace of treys from Myers inspiring them to a 57-53 lead going into the final period.
A player from both sides, Raid-ers' Terrence Durham and Jets' DJ Harrison both fouled out in the latter stages, but the visitors were always kept at arm's length
Jets scorers: Moore (29); Myers (20); Herriman (10); Harrison (6); Singleton (5); Martin (4); Simpson (2).
On Saturday, Jets won 87-77 at Leicester Riders.
