Bradford Maroons suffered their third consecutive narrow defeat in EBL Division Three North as victory was snatched away at the death by Derby Trailblazers II.
Despite recent defeats by three points to Leeds Carnegie II and Nottingham Hoods by four points, and with some regular first-teamers missing, including long-term absentee Dut Malek, a youthful Maroons battled back after trailing at the end of the first and second quarters to lead 47-45 at the halfway mark and enter the final session three points ahead.
An enthralling final quarter saw the lead change hands several times, and with the game finely poised in the last few minutes, the Maroons were stunned and the visitors jubilant as the Trailblazers scored a trio of three-pointers in almost as many visits to the basket to seal the win 95-83.
Jermayne Laing, currently one of the division’s top scorers, sank 29 points for the Maroons, followed by Dion Irish and Reuben Malek with 16 and 11 points respectively.
The Maroons have another chance to move off the bottom of the table with a win on Sunday at home to second-placed Birmingham Mets. Tip-off is at 2.30pm at Parkside Road Sports Centre.
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