Basketball: Erskin lifts weakened Leicester over Heat

Deginald Erskin led Leicester Riders with 23 points as they broke a nine-game losing streak to defeat Guildford Heat 76-58 on Saturday night, to strengthen their grip on fifth place.

The Riders, weakened by Joel Burns and Robert Reed recently quitting, have also lost Steve Bucknall to England's team preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. But on Saturday they rekindled the early-season defensive intensity that took them to the top of the table. The Heat slipped back to sixth.

Erskin was supported by 19 points from Ryan Huntley. Chad McKnight led the Heat with 18 points.

Chester Jets, last season's champions now scrambling to qualify for the play-off quarter-finals, climbed to ninth by beating the bottom club Birmingham Bullets 94-72 in Solihull. Phillip Gilbert led the Jets' scoring with 22 points.