CHESTER Jets helped Brighton Bears lift the BBL Championship for the first time on Saturday.

Despite their injury problems Jets caused an upset by winning 88-74 at Brighton's only title rivals Sheffield Sharks, while the bears were beating Leicester Riders.

But 24 hours later Jets suffered another home defeat, beaten 94-92 by Newcastle Eagles in overtime.

The game at Sheffield was very tight throughout the first half before a dominant spell by the Jets in the final five minutes of the third quarter and first two minutes of the fourth saw them outscore their hosts 21-10 and open a 73-63 lead.

After that the Sharks never trimmed the gap to less than nine points as Chester kept up their bid for a home play-off berth. Jets' Michael Nurse led all scorers with 24 points

Newcastle Eagles moved to within two points of fifth-placed Jets with a 94-92 overtime success over them at the Northgate Arena on Sunday evening.

Eagles, who were minus the injured Jeremy Hyatt (ankle), were in fine scoring form in the first quarter, bagging 35 points to lead 35-26 after the first ten minutes.

It was a direct contrast to the second quarter, when Jets kept the Eagles to just 12 points to snatch the lead from the visitors - 50-47 to Chester at half-time.

A 10-4 start to the third saw Jets' advantage extended to 60-51, but Eagles hit back with two 6-0 tears to tie the game at 65-65. The fourth quarter saw both sides enjoy 11-4 tears, first Jets and then Eagles, the latter tying the game at 85-85 to force overtime.

Eagles' point guard TJ Walker scored the first five points of the extra period, but Chester bounced back and tied the game at 92-92 with one minute remaining.

John McCord had the chance to win the game for Chester, but missed three foul shots before Eagles' player/coach Fab Flournoy stole in to score the winning basket.

FOR more Jets news see this Friday's Chester Chronicle.