By Ryan Gillham
Durham Wildcats are looking to mark their last home game of the season with a victory over MK Lions at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on Saturday.
Both sides will be playing for pride after missing out on eighth spot, which would’ve taken them into the post season play-offs.
The Wildcats have struggled in their first BBL season, sitting at the bottom of the table with a 3-26 record, but after last week’s home win against Guildford Heat, Durham will be positive going into the game and hoping to finish the season on a high note.
The Wildcats will end their first-ever BBL campaign on Sunday with a tough trip to Glasgow on Sunday to face Glasgow Rocks.
MK Lions saw the final play-off spot taken away from them after a defeat last week from the Cheshire Jets. Durham Wildcats coach Dave Elderkin was surprised to see the MK Lions miss out on the play-offs and expects a tough game this weekend.
“I’m really surprised the Lions have missed out on a play-off spot,” he told the BBL official website.
“They give us a hard time, I saw them challenge the Newcastle Eagles at Sports Central, and they are a really athletic team and performed well in front of the cameras.”
In their last outing the Wildcats came out victorious despite missing their leading scorer and rebounding Mario Flaherty in a 96-85 win against Guildford Heat and head coach Elderkin was more than impressed with his team’s performance.
He said: “We were very pleased with the win against the Heat, more than happy with our overall performance, and even more pleased with our 56 field goal percentage.
“Putting points on the board has been difficult recently so to achieve 96 points in the game, which was a weekend high, was a surprise but everyone contributed in what was a fantastic team performance.”
Mario Flaherty resumed light training on Monday and is expected to play some part in Saturday’s game after the club thought he would miss the remainder of the season.
Michael Davies is out for both fixtures this weekend after having stitches in his hip.
Tickets for the final home fixture of the Wildcats first BBL campaign are £5 for adults and £4 for concessions. For more information go to the Durham Wildcats website www.godurhamwildcats.co.uk or call the Ticket Hotline on 01325 300500.