Multiple players put together outings above the 35 efficiency mark, with City of Birmingham, Loughborough, Hemel, Thames Valley and Worthing all picking up valuable wins.
Essex also knocked off Reading in yesterday's only game, with the Rockets becoming the last of D1M's unbeaten teams to fall.
We take a look at all of the weekend's action below, with links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.
Loughborough loudly announced their D1 title challenge this weekend with an 87-85 victory over local rivals Derby.
In a back-and-forth encounter that DTB had led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Loughborough refused to go quietly and with 6:48 remaining the teams were tied once again.
What followed was a flurry of baskets for both sides as one punched before the other landed back, but it was Justin Hedley's last gasp steal and layup that would prove to be the telling blow.
Across a high-quality affair where both teams shot 47% from the floor, Hedley would earn the plaudits for a 33-point, eight-rebound performance, as Victor Ndoukou (14pts, 7reb) and Elijah Bailey (19pts) both did their part.
Malcolm Smith (24pts, 5reb) was the standout for the visitors as the Riders largely managed to keep a lid on Derby's standout guard Sam Masten (15pts, 5reb, 5ast).
The result now creates a jam at the top of the standings, with Derby, Loughborough and Essex all clocking up five wins through the early going.
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Justin Hedley gets the steal & lays it in with 0.8s remaining to give @lborobasketball a 87-85 win over Derby in a top of the table @NBLengland D1 clash! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gUzEfK8mE8
— Hoopsfix (@Hoopsfix) November 19, 2023
City of Birmingham Rockets (4-1) once again made a name for themselves as OT specialists as they used an extra period to see off Nottingham Hoods (3-3) 113-102.
Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation, but in the end it was Sam Toluwase (45pts, 15reb) and CoB who would prevail.
Bradford Dragons (2-5) came up short against Hakeem Sylla and Hemel Storm (4-2), 93-81.
Sylla (24pts, 16reb) was on point for Storm, with Seth Swalve (24pts, 4/8 3pt) also playing well to cancel out 26 points (5/10 3pt) from Bradford young gun Joe Buchanan.
Thames Valley Cavaliers (2-5) picked up their second win of the season, beating London Elite (1-5). 78-72.
In a tight contest where neither side led by more than seven points, Bode Adeluola (18pts), Shaquille Lewis (15pts) and A.J Roberts (14pts) all helped get TVC over the line.
Worthing Thunder (2-4) managed to pile on the misery for Barking Abbey (0-7) as a 94-83 win keeps BA at the bottom of D1M.
Tyler Fairbairn came off the Worthing bench to drop a game-high 21 points as Hafeez Abdul (17pts, 10reb) and Daniel Johnson-Thompson (!4pts, 14reb) both added double-doubles.
Sunday's lone clash was a good one as Reading Rockets (4-1) lost their unbeaten tag following a 104-96 defeat to Essex Rebels (5-1).
Connor Nelson's 31 points on 8/11 shooting (5/8 3pt) led the way for the triumphant Rebels, meaning Mitch Clarke's 31 point (5/9 3pt), five rebound, five assist effort would be in vain for the hosts.
It’s all the play for in the second #RocketsAreGo pic.twitter.com/hQD0cFrAna
— Reading Rockets Basketball Club (@rocketsreading) November 19, 2023
3pm - Nottingham Hoods 102-113 City of Birmingham Rockets (After 1OT) - LIVE STATS
6pm - Loughborough Riders 87-85 Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
6:15pm - Bradford Dragons 81-93 Hemel Storm - LIVE STATS
7pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 78-72 London Elite - LIVE STATS
7:30pm - Worthing Thunder 94-83 Barking Abbey - LIVE STATS
4pm - Reading Rockets 96-104 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
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Main image credit - Tara St Clair
