THE Bradford Dragons threw away a sizeable lead at Loughborough Riders on Easter Sunday, going on to lose 78-64 in the pair’s National Basketball League Division One clash.

The result means Bradford can no longer finish any higher than seventh, meaning they are guaranteed an away play-off later this month.

They had already secured their play-off spot before the clash in Loughborough, but a win would have given them a real chance of finishing above their hosts in sixth.

Instead, Bradford could still finish eighth, in the final play-off spot, though that would require them to lose very heavily at Derby Trailblazers in their last game of the regular season tomorrow, coupled with a massive Nottingham Hoods win over Worthing Thunder tonight.

The Dragons should not even have been worrying about Nottingham after dominating the first quarter at Loughborough last Sunday and opening up a healthy 26-15 lead.

The Riders fought back well, but Bradford still held a 38-34 advantage at half-time.

Loughborough edged ahead after the third quarter, but their visitors were right in the contest at 55-53 down.

But a dreadful final quarter saw them rack up a measly 11 points, and with Loughborough putting up 23, they motored away to record that 78-64 victory.