Brad Wierzbicki's three-pointer with a second remaining gave Leicester Riders a win over Sheffield in the first of the BBL play-off quarter-finals.

Wierzbicki took a Dwayne James pass to seal Leicester's first home play-off win since 1991 and send them to the finals for the first time since 2001.

The Sharks, led by James Whyte's 17 points, edged ahead 66-62 late on in their bid to upset the seedings.

Tommy Swanson led the Riders' scoring with 25 points.

The Riders took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, only for Sheffield to launch a 9-2 run to again take the advantage.

There is something special about this team - we refuse to lose Leicester coach Rob Paternostro

Coach Rob Paternostro told BBC Radio Leicester: "It was a phenomenal game.

"Sheffield played great but there is something about this team. It's a special group and we refuse to lose."

After an even contest that saw the lead continually change hands, Sharks nudged ahead 66-62 in the final period off the back of a 9-2 burst.

An emotional Paternostro added: "In this gym this year we have played so many exciting games that it was fitting that our last game of the season should end like that."

And a Justin Brown free-throw with 10 seconds left seemed to have won the game before Wierzbicki's late heroics.

"We have taken the fans on a roller-coaster ride all year and most of the time we have come up trumps."

The Riders must now wait to see who they will be facing in the semi-finals that will take place on Saturday, 2 May at the NIA, Birmingham as part of the BBL Championship play-off weekend.

In the other play-off ties, Newcastle host Cheshire and Everton are at home to the Scottish Rocks on Friday, with Guildford taking on Plymouth on Sunday.

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