With two regular-season games left, Bradford Dragons have been confirmed as winners of English Basketball League Division Three (North) following an 89-71 win at Leeds Carnegie Seconds.

Facing a strong and physical defence, Dragons shaded the first quarter 16-13 and extended the lead to 13 points before Carnegie hit back to 40-32 down at the break.

Despite a full-court Carnegie press, Dragons also took the third quarter 25-18 with an emphatic dunk on the break by Boycho Branzov, which brought the crowd to their feet.

Coach Mellor ran the bench throughout and Dragons made it a fourth-quarter victory too. For Dragons, Sean James top-scored with 18 points, Vance Silcott and Craig Wilson each hitting 15 as nine Dragons got on the scoresheet.

After the game, Mellor said: “I thought we came out a bit flat in the first half and conceded way too many easy scores. We were much better at both ends in the second half.”

Dragons’ under-14s won 102-79 at Oldham Titans, the under-16s lost 92-42 at York Vikings and Dragons’ men’s seconds lost 62-54 at Leeds Tigers.

The first team’s next home game is against Bradford Maroons on Saturday at Trinity Green Sports Hall at Bradford College (6.15), BD5 0JE.

Dragons have never won a home derby game and will want to win this game ahead of the home play-off quarter-final against Portsmouth City Smugglers on March 20.

Admission is £3 and £1.50 for concessions.

For further details, contact Stuart Culliford on 0781 661 0600 or email info@bradforddragons.co.uk or visit the Dragons website at www.bradforddragons.co.uk.