BRADFORD Dragons are virtually out of the running for the play-offs in Division One of the National Basketball League, after suffering late heartache at home to Loughborough Riders last Saturday.
The top-eight qualify for the end of year shootout, but Bradford are currently ninth, four points behind eighth-placed Reading Rockets, with four to play for.
Saturday's game finished 103-98 to Loughborough at Calderdale College, but it was an even more dramatic game than the scoreline suggests.
Neither team could get away, and with the Dragons winning a low scoring first quarter 14-12, but losing the second one 21-19, both sides were dead level at 33-33 at half-time.
The scoring flourished in the third quarter, but both sides were starting to click in attack, and Bradford only held a 62-61 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Bradford thought the job was done at 87-84 in front with three seconds left, but then they committed a costly foul.
That sent Loughborough to the line. They scored their first free throw, missed the second but picked up the rebound and sank a two pointer on the buzzer to push the game into overtime.
And with the momentum in their favour, they outpointed the Dragons 16-11 in that additional period to take a 103-98 victory.
Zach Gachette was the star turn for Bradford once again, with 26 points, though Rihards Šulcs (23) and Ricky Fetske (22) both scored well too.
Today at 6:15pm is the Dragons' last home game of the season, against league champions Team Solent Kestrels. Tickets are available by clicking here.
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