DURHAM WILDCATS forced one of the BBL Championship’s top sides in One Health Sharks Sheffield to work hard for a 77-65 win at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre last weekend.

The lead changed hands nine times in the first half alone, as neither side succeeded to break away for good.

Sharks had shot up to a 34-28 lead after Nick Lewis’ threepointer, but Wildcats finished the half with five unanswered points to cut the gap to a single point.

Not much changed after the interval and the see-saw battle continued right into the third quarter, as neither team led by more than three points.

BJ Holmes finished the quarter with a three-pointer to give the Sheffield club a 53-50 edge heading into the final frame.

Sharks finally found their shooting touch in the fourth quarter, putting together a 19- 1 stretch, breaking away to a 75-55 lead and icing the game with a top-class final period.

Nick Lewis paced the winners with 19 points, Mike Tuck had a huge-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, while BJ Holmes added 17 points and six assists.

There were only two players in double figures for Wildcats, as Danny Huffor collected a game-high 24 points, as Kirk Crecco finished the game with ten points.

Wildcats have a blank weekend before facing Manchester Giants next Sunday.