And in NBL2, the two unbeaten teams in the North and the South create more breathing space as the chasing pack slipped-up.
In Pool I, the Bears recovered from a slow start to beat Charnwood Riders 75-57 to hold on to top spot with their nearest challengers close behind.
That challenge being the Milton Keynes Breakers, who led for the majority against Cardiff City albeit slenderly, before breaking clear with a 30-16 fourth quarter spurt to dismiss their Welsh counterparts 74-58.
Sarah Round continues her good season with the Breakers, leading the way with 20 points.
London All-Stars remain the only unbeaten side in the division but had to work hard for their 72-68 win to neighbours East London Phoenix to maintain their place at the summit of Pool II.
Oaklands College Wolves II failed to keep in touch at the top of Pool II but allowed Hemel Storm a passage into the top three as Lily Fredrick’s 12 points gave the Storm a 41-40 win.
London Elite stay in the mix in third, as Jessica Hunt’s game-high 25 points lifted them to a 64-48 win over Team Solent Kestrels on the South Coast.
Nuri Seyedagha-Calderon starred for the City of Birmingham Rockets, who blasted to a 90-55 win away to Plymouth Marjon Patriots. Calderon went for 20 points to lead the way.
Sophie Carr led Marjon with 12 points, who fall to their second straight loss.
Richmond Knights failed to close the gap on leaders Barking Abbey as they dropped their second game of the season.
NASSA now take sole possession of second place in the South, beating the Knights 80-67 at SportsDock, thanks and Barking Abbey took full advantage.
However, Rikki Broadmore’s side had to recover from a slow start to see-off the Cobham Scorchers 73-61, as the Scorchers raced to a 23-14 lead after one.
Barking recovered and a 26-5 fourth quarter sealed the deal, remaining unbeaten in the South with 18 points from Kervy Mabaya a standout.
Elsewhere, a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds from Josh Phillips gave London Elite an 84-71 road win over Barnet Bulldogs securing back-to-back victories as they continue their rise up the table.
There was finally joy for Essex Rebels II, as they saw-off Westminster Warriors 89-80 for their first win of the season, but despair for Endeavour Ipswich Basketball, who are still waiting for their first taste of success. They lost 79-70 to Greenwich Titans.
And 29 points from Andre Arissol was enough for Team Solent Kestrels, as they outlasted the London Stars after a period of overtime 94-86 on the South coast.
Bristol Academy Flyers II made short work of basement side Cardiff City 84-48 to remain unbeaten after eight games, but Leicester Warriors and Encon Derbyshire Arrows are still on their tail.
The Warriors needed a strong second half showing, outscoring Bristol Basketball United 48-30 to secure a 100-82 win as Ashley Ugbo led the way with 26 points and secured Leicester’s place into second.
The Arrows got over the finish line but needed 22 points from Diogo Soares to help them to an 87-77 win over the Worcester Wolves.
Teesside Lions put a further dent in Manchester Magic’s early run for top spot with a 68-64 win in the North East. Brenden Patrick paced the Lions with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists in a superb, all-around performance.
And near the bottom of the table, Liverpool created some separation with a 95-89 home win over Cardiff Met Archers.
NASSA 80-67 Richmond Knights - LIVE STATS
Barking Abbey 73-61 Cobham Scorchers - LIVE STATS
Barnet Bulldogs 71-84 London Elite - LIVE STATS
Greenwich Titans 79-70 Endeavour Ipswich - LIVE STATS
Essex Rebels II 89-82 Westminster Warriors - LIVE STATS
Team Solent Kestrels 94-86 London Stars (after 1OT) - LIVE STATS
Bristol Basketball United (BBU) 82-100 Leicester Warriors - LIVE STATS
Liverpool 95-89 Cardiff Met Archers
Cardiff City 48-84 Bristol Academy Flyers II - LIVE STATS
Encon Derbyshire Arrows 87-77 Worcester Wolves
Teesside Lions 68-64 Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
East London Phoenix 68-72 London All Stars
Plymouth Marjon Patriot Women 55-90 City of Birmingham Rockets
Team Solent Kestrels 48-64 London Elite
Charnwood Riders 57-75 Bromsgrove Bears
Milton Keynes Breakers 74-58 Cardiff City
Plymouth Marjon Patriots 89-87 Brighton Bears
University of Hertfordshire Storm 104-85 Oaklands Wolves
Charnwood Riders 108-88 Nottingham Trent Hoods
Birmingham City University 122-67 Northamptonshire Titans
Manchester Swarm 65-84 Tees Valley Mohawks
Stockport Falcons 62-58 Manchester Kings
Kent Crusaders 67-73 CoLA Southwark Pride
Greenhouse Sports 64-87 NCC London Lions Foundation
University of East Anglia 61-95 Cambridge Cats
Derby Trailblazers II 67-59 Warwickshire Hawks
Sheffield Elite Basketball Academy 80-82 Tameside Vikings
Oaklands College Wolves II 40-41 Hemel Storm
.
.
All image credits - amiflickz
Words by John Hobbs
