Marshall MK Lions secured a valuable away win at Cheshire Jets to keep the pressure on the two in the BBL Championship.

Lions had to hold on to a slender advantage as Jets had the last shot of the match. However, tough defence by the Milton Keynes players ensured that Jets Colin O Reilly could not get off a quality attempt.

In a tight, scrappy match the Jets led early, 9-6 before Yorick Williams landed a three to tie. As good work from the home side pushed them 16-11 ahead, the Lions hit back with three pointers in a row from EJ Harrison, Dru Spinks and Robert Youngblood, a three in response from James Hamilton then saw an old fashioned three point play from Frank Holmes as the opening ten minutes ended 21-23 to Lions.

A 7-1 start from the Jets then saw Dawud Morris and Homes combine for the Lions next 7 points as they led 28-31 with a minute to play another 7-0 from the home side ending with a Calvin Davis three was replied to by a Holmes dunk and two free throws from Williams to tie the half 35-35.

Mike New opened the third with a strong finish inside before Morris raced in followed by two scores from Youngblood. The home side pulled within one at 42-43 before Harrison scored and then the ball was stolen by Morris and then Harrison was fouled on the attempt, he nailed both free throw. The teams battled hard and it was left to New to nail two free throws as his side led 49-52, then turnovers cost the Lions as Cheshire hit 6 unanswered to lead 55-52 but Coach Macaulay then introduced Guy Dupuy who instantly hit a three to tie the quarter 55 apiece.

Guy Dupuy gave his team 8 minutes of energy as he nailed two three pointers and got a steal in this tough road win

Early in the fourth the Lions found a way to lead 59-61 off Harrison and New, then Dupuy nailed another triple, his energy seemed to galvanise the visitors, a huge rebound from the same player and this time Harrison hit a three, 62-67 lions with 4 minutes to play. The home side then found some form as the Lions misfired, a 6-0 run from the Jets had them up by a point but Morris powered inside to score and when Holmes snatched a rebound he found Morris again who rose over the Jets defence to score another, 68-71 Lions, O’Reilly scored inside to close within a point and as the seconds ticked off the clock, the home side who had only been called for one foul in the quarter had to scramble to get the Lions to the line and as the seconds wasted away it was only on the Lions third inbounds that the ball was fumbled leaving O’Reilly to throw a hopeful shot from the halfway line which was well wide as the Lions held on 70-71 to avenge a League loss here early in the season.

Lions Scorers; Harrison 16, Holmes 11, Morris 9, Spinks 9, New 8, Youngblood 7, Dupuy 6, Williams 5, Simon 0, Pringle, Fontaine.

Jets Scorers; Marks 19, Young 12, Myers 8