CHESHIRE Jets remain in contention for a place in the BBL Trophy final, despite losing their first-leg encounter against MK Lions on Friday.
The Jets were pipped 80-79 in their away fixture, after rallying from being 22-8 down after the first quarter.
A see-saw battle followed with the two sides swapping the lead throughout much of the match.
Top-scoring for the Jets was Steven Gayle with 21 points, with Shawn Myers scoring 17 and Calvin Davis netting 14.
The Jets will now hope for home advantage to carry them through to the final when the sides meet again at the Northgate Arena on Sunday.
An aggregate win would see Jets play Newcastle Eagles, who booked their place in the final over the weekend.
Paul Smith’s side fared better in the league on Saturday, as an 84-72 win away at BBL Championship strugglers Essex Pirates lifted the Jets to fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Leicester Riders.
Although the Jets were without key players James Hamilton and Gayle, the squad was able to rely on Ireland international Colin O’Reilly to rack up the points, as he top-scored with 27 on the night.
American point guard Paul Peterson scored 19 points and Chez Marks added 16 to the Jets’ total.
Cheshire Jets make the long trip to face third-placed Glasgow Rocks on Friday.
