Durham created club history on Saturday by advancing from the first round of the BBL Cup for the first time, beating Cheshire Phoenix 78-75 at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

Danny Huffor got the game started for Durham with a three pointer very early on and that was just the beginning of many to fall for both sides in the quarter. The Wildcats have started really bright in previous weeks but it was Cheshire who opened up an early lead as the Phoenix finished on top at the end of the first at 21-28.

Reggie Middleton handed Cheshire a ten-point lead with a three to start the second and it was that three that inspired his team to hold Durham to the deficit for the remainder of the quarter with Dominique Coleman and Kai Williams landing from deep as the score stood at the half 37-48.

Cheshire managed to extend their lead to 14 points thanks to Dominique Coleman who made two free throws after a foul by Durham's Mike Allison.

The game soon changed when RJ Evans tried to hit Cheshire on the counter when Masse Doumbe was penalised with an unsportsmanlike foul giving Durham two free throws and possession of the ball.

Wildcats look fired up as the atmosphere changed when Danny Huffor, Devin Ginty and Odiba Attah brought the game back to provide Durham their first lead since the opening minutes at 61-60.

Cheshire had the last say in the third with a tear drop shot on the buzzer with the score at 61-62 going into the final stanza.

The momentum stayed with the Wildcats in the fourth with Odiba Attah and RJ Evans with some huge plays to provide a six-point lead. Despite Cheshire's best efforts, the Wildcats stepped up their game at the defensive end to shut down the Phoenix and it would give Durham their first BBL Cup win as the score finished 78-75.

Head coach Lee Davie was thrilled to advance to the next round despite having come from behind to win.

"It feels great to have won," he said. "We didn't get going defensively till the second half of the game and we made it really difficult for ourselves.

"We need to concentrate more on defence for 40 minutes and if we do, I am confident we can extend this run."