Bradford Maroons were minutes away from an upset when they played second-placed Sheffield Sabres in EBL Division Thee North.

Despite entering the final quarter ahead, they suffered a narrow 73-67 home defeat.

A big trey on the buzzer from Rihards Sulcs levelled the scores at 36-36 at the end of the second quarter and intense Maroons defence limited Sabres to 11 points in the third quarter as they led 55-47.

A lack of players has been a problem for the Maroons this season and, typically, it is most apparent in the final quarter, with tired legs and mounting foul counts undermining earlier efforts.

Sulcs top-scored for Maroons with 30 points. Maroons travel to Derby Trailblazers II tomorrow.