JETS survived a second-half comeback to run out winners from the free-throw line as the visitors lost their discipline.

Despite trailing by 21 points in the second quarter, Peter Scantlebury's side had edged ahead several times in the final period but, ultimately, Jets inflicted a fourth successive defeat on the former leaders.

Coach Paul Smith said: 'We made it hard for ourselves but we always do. No matter what we say at half-time, if we've got a big lead, it never seems to last more than five minutes. It's always like that between these two clubs; there never seems to be a dull moment.

'It's a great rivalry we have and, in our own little world, it is probably the fiercest in British basketball. But we have also got a lot of respect for each other.'

Determined to put recent 20-point blow-outs behind them, Jets started brightly and led 28-22 at the end of the opening period.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Huntley and Nurse extended Jets' advantage in the second and when the North-gate Arena lights temporarily went out following a power surge just over a minute before the interval, the wags could be forgiven for suggesting that we had been plunged into darkness at Sharks' request.

Jets led 55-36 at the break but downtown bombs from Sheffield guards Rob Yanders and Nate Reinking led a second-half comeback.

The home side's advantage had been cut to 71-62 going into the final quarter and with three minutes left, a Lynard Stewart-inspired Sharks took the lead for the first time since the opening exchanges.

With 28 seconds remaining, Jets led by one (91-90) and it looked like we were in for another nail-biting finale, but the hosts were handed the win on a plate when Sharks' Justin Phoenix lost his head.

Unhappy about a foul call on him for catching Nurse, the forward took out his frustrations by kicking one of the shot clocks, picking up a technical which also saw him foul out.

Between then and the full-time buzzer, Nurse sewed up the win with four hits from the free-throw line.

Jets: McCord (33); Davis (26); Nurse (18); Hamilton (10); Huntley (5); Singleton (3).