Daniel Sandell steps in to win it on buzzer

Apr 14 2008 By Colin Tattum

BIRMINGHAM Panthers stunned Cheshire Jets last night with a dramatic 100-97 victory.

Daniel Sandell provided the heroics at the death by connecting with a huge three-pointer on the buzzer from just over the halfway line at the Northgate Arena.

Sandell had chased down his own miss to sink a three from the corner to tie the scores at 97 and leave Cheshire reeling.

And when they brought the ball up on the last possession, Maron Jules slapped it out of Jayson Obazuaye's hands, Sandell collected, dribbled forward and launched the amazing winning score.

The victory - only Panthers' sixth of the campaign - was just reward not only for last night's effort, but their refusal to raise the white flag during a difficult few months.

Cheshire led 91-83 going into the closing stages but an amazing run, including two long-range three-pointers from Lekan Popoola, made it 95-94 with 24 seconds left.

After Gianni Costantiello bagged two free-throws for Cheshire, Sandell stepped up to register those back-to-back threes.

Coach Nigel Lloyd said: "The guys were jumping up and down on the buzzer like they'd won a title.

"It's been a long, hard season and they deserved this."

Adam Williams top-scored with 30 points, Popoola and Sandell both finished with 19.

The night before, Panthers went down 96-71 at home to Sheffield Sharks.

Cameron Wight led Panthers with 17 points, Sandell and Williams got 15 apiece, Jules 12, Popoola 10 and Craig Hopkins tallied a team-high nine rebounds.

Panthers finish the home season on Saturday against Everton Tigers (7pm).