With victories for Bradford and Worthing, plus a Christmas cracker of a contest as Team Newcastle squeezed past Nottingham by the narrowest of margins, there was plenty to NBL action to enjoy before the mid-season break.
We have a recap of the games below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.
Newly promoted Newcastle end the year in the top three following a dramatic 93-92 win on the road in Nottingham.
Trailing 92-88 with just over a minute remaining, Newcastle's American duo of Ronald Blain and David Moya hit five straight points including a clutch triple from Moya with just seven seconds remaining, lifting the Knights to victory.
Nottingham's Victor Olarerin enjoyed a stunning afternoon (33pts, 10rbs, 3stl) but his last-gasp shot couldn't find a way to drop and Newcastle left town with their fourth win of the season.
Blain also enjoyed a fine outing, finishing with a game-high 39 points to go with 16 boards, four assists and three steals in what was one of the performances of the season so far. Amply supported by compatriot Moya, the former Barry University guard added a further 15 points and seven assists.
Newcastle's Brandon Federici narrowly missed out on a double-double as well, he scored 11 to go with nine assists.
Just like last week, Newcastle take the lead on a last second three. David Moya does it this time around 🎯
— bbl fix (@BblFix) December 19, 2020
🎥 @hoodsbasketball #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/3IGVCx1vom
Worthing enjoyed a 'big three' performances on Saturday as they pushed Oaklands to their fifth loss in a row.
Cam Hildreth (30pts, 5rbs, 4ast), Max Richardson (20pts, 10rbs) and Howard Crawford (18pts, 6rbs) contributed 68 of Worthing's 83 points, with no other player making it past five on the scoreboard.
The contest could have ended very different, with the Wolves looking good value for a maiden win after they led for the majority of the first half, including a double-digit lead midway through the second.
A 32-15 third quarter saw the game unravel for the hosts, and although coach Baker's side were better in the final quarter, the damage was already done.
Despite the loss, Oaklands' Jordan Santiago put together a solid performance to close with a 31 point, 11 rebound double-double.
Killa Cam back at it. In his first game back from GB duty, Cameron Hildreth, alongside Howard Crawford and Max Richardson, keeps Oakland winless despite 31 from Jordan Santiago.#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/nhWJvARivs
— bbl fix (@BblFix) December 19, 2020
Bradford ensured Oaklands wouldn't be the only winless team in D1M heading into 2021 as they beat Leicester 76-66.
The Warriors have endured a tough start to their campaign and picked up their fifth loss after a 19-point performance (8-12 shooting) from Bradford's Ricky Fetske.
The veteran forward's performance included going 3/4 from range, with one of those triples adding to further bombs from Andreas Lycoudis and Albert Margai as Bradford went on a late 18-7 run to claim the win.
The hosts couldn't convert good performances from Ellis Haggith (22pts) and Kayne King (16pts, 6rbs, 4 ast) into a W, despite holding the lead with seven minutes to go.
3pm - Leicester Warriors 66-76 Bradford Dragons -Â LIVE STATS
3:45pm - Oaklands Wolves 77-83 Worthing Thunder -Â LIVE STATS
6:30pm - Nottingham Hoods 92-93 Team Newcastle University -Â LIVE STATS
Main image credit - Luke Simcock
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