SHEFFIELD Sharks virtually confirmed the runners-up position in the British Basketball League with an 86-76 victory over Worcester Wolves.
With Newcastle Eagles already confirmed as champions, Worcester and Sheffield have an identical record with two games left but the Sharks have the head-to-head advantage.
Even if Wolves beat Glasgow Rocks tomorrow (7.30pm) and Surrey United on Saturday (7pm), they would need Sheffield to lose to either Plymouth Raiders or Manchester Giants to finish above them.
Wednesday's defeat at the English Institute of Sport was Worcester's third in the league against the Sharks this season.
The sides were evenly matched throughout the first-half of the contest, tied at 20-20 at the end of the opening quarter and still tied at 41-41 at half-time.
It was the third quarter where the outcome was decided, with Sheffield point guard BJ Holmes coming to the fore.
Worcester trailed by eight points with four minutes of the period remaining but were 68-55 adrift heading into the final quarter.
Zaire Taylor led the Wolves’ scorers with 27 points, backed up by 19 from Will Creekmore and 14 for captain Alex Owumi. Holmes top-scored for Sheffield with 25 points.
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