With key wins for Loughborough, Derby, Worthing and Thames Valley, Bradford Dragons also kicked their season off with a W to move to 1-0.
We have a recap of the games below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.
Two sides that are rarely under .500 in D1M met Saturday, with hosts Worthing securing their first win of the season as they came out on top 75-70 against Reading.
Both the Rockets and Thunder have started the 2020/21 campaign slowly, though Reading looked good value for securing their second win of the season after an encouraging 20-17 opening period.
A 21-7 second frame opened the door for Worthing though, who would then lead the contest until late in the final quarter.
An O'Showen Williams triple for Reading with 2:40 remaining would push the visitors back into the lead at 68-66, but seven points from reigning D1M Player of the Week Zaire Taylor and a dunk from American Howard Crawford would put enough distance between Worthing and their opponents to seal a narrow win.
Without young star Cameron Hildreth, away on GB duty, Taylor stepped to the fore with an all-round performance of 23 points, seven boards, eight assists, six steals and a block. Crawford (16pts, 6rbs) and Max Richardson (14pts, 8rbs, 2blk) also played well for Worthing.
Leome Francis collected a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for Reading, whilst Williams finished on 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
After winning two games in a row to begin the season, Newcastle have now dropped consecutive games as they fell 81-67 at home to Bradford this weekend.
Beginning their season, the Dragons were positive from the opening tip and got their reward as they led 45-37 by the half.
Coach Mellor's side did well to restrict former Team of the Week guard David Moya to a 1-10 shooting performance as Ricky Fetske (18pts, 14rbs), Albert Margai (15pts) and Jermayne Laing (14pt) all poured it in at the other end.
Ronald Blaine did provide some resistance for the Knights with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double, but the fourth quarter saw the Bradford lead eventually hit 20, well and truly sealing the result.
There was a thrilling Midlands derby as Loughborough went on the road and defeated Leicester Warriors 99-97.
Trailing by as many as 15 points in the 4th quarter, Leicester mounted a serious fight back down the stretch but late shots from both Martyn Gayle and Daniel Turiccki refused to drop as the Riders held on.
Despite strong showings from Loughborough's Conroy Hayden (24pts, 9rbs) and Jonas Dieterich (23pts, 9rbs), it was Kyle Jimenez that stole the show with 15 points and an eye-catching 16 assists.
Derby ran out comfortable 91-71 winners against Nottingham Hoods thanks to a well-balanced offensive performance that saw six different Trailblazers reach double digits scoring.
Winning each of the first three periods by nine or more, Derby were in command of this one early with eventual top scorer Jacob Conway enjoying a fine afternoon to finish on 21 points.
Finally, Thames Valley moved to 2-0 following an entertaining 101-93 win over Oaklands Wolves.
A 36-14 second quarter allowed hosts TVC to build a sizable advantage in this one, but the Wolves refused to go quietly as they put together a late 29-4 run to close to within eight come the final buzzer.
Unfortunately though, the gap was too much to overcome for coach Baker's side.
Jordan Santiago's huge 33 point, 13 rebound double-double wouldn't be enough for Oaklands, with Blayne Freckleton top scoring for the Cavs with 18.
In one of the few remaining L Lynch Trophy pool games, Nottingham collected a comfortable 91-70 win over academy side Charnwood.
Leading from tip to buzzer, the Hoods played some great basketball to build a lead that at its peak flirted with the 30-point mark.
Delaney Powell (18pts), Laurits Juffer (16pts), Matt Ward-Hibbert (15pts) and Victor Olarerin (14pts) all played well in the win, with youngster Simeon Perry the pick of the bunch for the Riders, he had 14 points and seven rebounds.
2pm - Derby Trailblazers 91-71 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
3pm - Leicester Warriors 97-99 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS
4pm - Team Newcastle University 67-81 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
6pm - Worthing Thunder 75-70 Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
6:30pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 101-93 Oaklands Wolves - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
2pm - L Lynch Trophy - Nottingham Hoods 91-70 Charnwood Riders - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
.Main image credit - Loughborough basketball
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