Basketball: Bullets end 21-game losing streak but then slump again

Birmingham Bullets' winning streak lasted for just one game after they lost 108-90 to London Towers at Birmingham Sports Centre last night in the BBL Championship, 24 hours after beating Leicester Riders 91-79 at the same venue. The victory over Riders, who have never won in Birmingham in 19 attempts over 17 years, was Bullets' first this season after 22 defeats in all competitions.

Bullets' coach, Steve Tucker, depends on the Americans DeRon Rutledge, Trey Moore and Ron Griffin, who shared 73 of the points against Riders, and they produced the 17-4 surge which gave Bullets a safety net at 52-33.

But last night Bullets were on the wrong end of a similar burst. Towers powered to their fifth consecutive win in the Championship with a 33-17 run in the second quarter to lead 55-38 at half-time.

The leaders, Sheffield Sharks, reopened a four-point advantage over second-placed Brighton Bears by winning 89-81 at Chester Jets last night, after Bears had outclassed Milton Keynes Lions 99-67 on Saturday.

Jets led Sharks 63-55 last night, but Lynard Stewart turned the game by scoring six points in an 11-0 run. Stewart led Sharks' scorers with 31 points.

In Glasgow, Junior Williams scored a three-pointer six seconds from time to give the Scottish Rocks a 98-97 win over Newcastle Eagles.