Despite staging a spirited comeback, Sheffield Sharks fell to defeat against Super League Basketball pacesetters London Lions on Sunday night as they ended a back-to-back weekend without a win.

Sheffield shot an impressive 50 per cent from three-point range but were stymied inside the paint by a stingy Lions defence that turned around a half-time deficit before withstanding Sharks late rally to hold on 92-83.

Off the back of a second defeat to Surrey 89ers in less than a fortnight on Friday, it was a weekend when Sharks went backwards in their pursuit of the Lions and the league championship.

With Cheshire Phoenix to come here next Sunday as the defence of their SLB Cup begins against a bitter rival, Sharks are still searching for fluency and form coming into a crucial part of the season having dropped three of their last four games.

Rodney Chatman III in action against London Lions (Picture: Adam Bates)

placeholder image — Rodney Chatman III in action against London Lions (Picture: Adam Bates)

“It’s a little bit frustrating,” said head coach Atiba Lyons. “They were a little depleted but they’re still a good team, out-fought a little bit.

"Every time we got a footing in the game there wasn’t enough time left. We have to be more assertive.

“We shot it well but we’ve got to find ways to put points on the board without it being hero-ball, it’s got to be more team-orientated.

“We have to be more consistent. We’re only doing it well in spurts.”

Dirk Williams drives to the basket for Sheffield Sharks against London Lions (Picture: Adam Bates)

Given the nature of an ill-disciplined defeat in Surrey on Friday, a good start by the Sharks against such a high-powered Lions team was essential, and they delivered, particularly from behind the arc.

Three-pointers from Rodney Chatman III (inset) twice - the second from the tip of the shark’s fin painted on the court - Jordan Ratinho, Prentiss Nixon and William Lee gave Sharks a 22-17 lead at the end of the first.

The defensive rebounds of Lee and Mervin James were also crucial in denying London any second-chance points.

Sharks scored another five-three-pointers in the second quarter with two from Williams, a brace from Lee and James also getting in on the act.

They built a 12-point lead at one stage and ended the half seven points to the good but it always felt their impressive 58.8 per cent from range was unsustainable and so it proved.

Sheffield’s lead was erased two minutes into the third quarter before they’d even scored a basket of their own, their inability to get inside and to the basket in the first 20 minutes continuing in the second.

Nixon landed a deep three and James - who benefitted from smart play to score under the basket twice - hit one late in the quarter but London gradually took the game away from Sheffield by outscoring their hosts 30-14 in the third quarter.

Sharks still had some fight in them, though. Nixon might not have had many nights where he leads the Sharks in scoring as he did last season but along with James he was a clutch shooter on this night, a deep three pulling Sheffield to within six and another got them to within five but they couldn’t get close again.

Nixon finished with 20 and James 23. Deane Williams had 19 for the Lions.