There was also plenty of action in NBL2 North and there were three thrilling encounters in WNBL2 that went down to the wire in an exciting weekend.
Barking Abbey (12-1) were made to sweat in the final minute but hung on to secure a 73-72 win over London Stars (12-3) in a first vs second encounter in NBL2 South.
A three-point play from Kervy Mabaya (pictured above) with 1:38 left proved to be the difference between the two teams but the hosts had to cling on to their slender advantage which they did in the dying moments.
Mabaya ended up with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, denying Ryan Martin’s incredible 27 points and 15 boards for the Stars.
Despite the result, Team Solent Kestrels (12-1) are still breathing down their necks as they thumped Greenwich Titans (6-6) 104-63 in the capital.
NASSA (11-4) complete the top four in the South - they saw-off Cobham Scorchers (5-10) on the road 84-65. NASSA dominated from start to finish, highlighted by a 24-9 second period that left the Scorchers for dust.
Ify Chuks and Sable Cooper both had 18 points in a balanced scoring effort for NASSA. Charles Ollis amassed 22 for Cobham.
Down at the bottom, there was some joy for Westminster Warriors (3-13) as they took a deserved 75-68 win over Richmond Knights (10-6), who just before Christmas were at the summit, but have plummeted to fifth.
Veteran Justin Hitchman paced the Warriors with a double-double of 19 points and 10 board, shooting 46% from the field in the victory.
There unfortunately no such joy for the basement side Endeavour Ipswich Basketball (0-14), who narrowly fell 65-62 to London Elite (9-6).
Barnet Bulldogs (5-9) continue to show their form as they won 81-74 away from home to Essex Rebels II (2-13) thanks to 29 points from James Mitchell.
Bristol Academy Flyers II (13-1) returned to winning ways as Tre Thomas exploded for 32 points to lead them to a 77-68 victory over a tough Manchester Magic (7-7) outfit.
However, Leicester Warriors (12-3) are not far behind as they dismissed the Cardiff Met Archers (4-8) 92-75 in the East Midlands. Malik Legania led the Warriors with 25 points on 11/15 shooting. Dan Flaherty paced Cardiff with 18.
It proved to be a bad weekend for the Welsh clubs, as Cardiff City (1-9) continue to prop up NBL2 North, despite a battle against Myerscough Basketball Academy (6-7), the North-West outfit came up with an 80-65 win.
Encon Derbyshire Arrows (10-4) remain fourth as 30 points from Diogo Soares helped them to a 106-76 win over Bristol Basketball United (10-4).
The Arrows had to come from behind though in order to secure the win after a lacklustre first half that saw them trail by six after the first, to level the game up at 44-44 at the break. A 34-18 blitz from Derbyshire saw them through.
It proved to be a good weekend for the Arrows as they closed the gap on St Helens Saints (9-2), who dropped their second game in a row. Wilfrid Santhe hit 21 points and dished out nine assists to lead Worcester Wolves (5-9) to an 88-80 victory over the Saints.
Liverpool (3-11) nabbed their third win of the season, as they stunned Teesside Lions (4-8) 90-68 on Merseyside. Louis Rogerson-Evans paced Liverpool with 23 points and seven rebounds.
London All Stars (11-0) maintained their unbeaten start to the season, edging neighbours London Elite (7-3) 68-55.
Stevenage Royals needed overtime to see-off Team Solent Kestrels and finally score their first win of the season 57-54 in a physical battle.
Nottingham University Wildcats took down Bromsgrove Bears at home 75-63 behind 23 points from Hanya Correia.
Leicester Warriors 92-75 Cardiff Met Archers - LIVE STATS
Liverpool 90-68 Teesside Lions - LIVE STATS
Cardiff City 65-80 Myerscough Basketball Academy
Bristol Academy Flyers II 77-68 Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
Encon Derbyshire Arrows 106-76 Bristol Basketball United (BBU)
Worcester Wolves 88-80 St Helens Saints - LIVE STATS
Greenwich Titans 63-104 Team Solent Kestrels
Cobham Scorchers 65-84 NASSA
Barking Abbey 73-72 London Stars - LIVE STATS
Essex Rebels II 74-81 Barnet Bulldogs - LIVE STATS
Westminster Warriors 75-68 Richmond Knights - LIVE STATS
London Elite 65-62 Endeavour Ipswich Basketball
Stevenage Royals Women 57-54 Team Solent Kestrels (AOT)
London Elite 55-68 London All Stars
Nottingham University Wildcats 75-63 Bromsgrove Bears
Surrey 89ers TBC-TBC Oxford Hoops
Cardiff Met Archers 57-55 Bath Basketball
Crawley Storm TBC-TBC Plymouth Raiders
East London Phoenix 77-68 Kent Crusaders
Oaklands Wolves 92-68 Nottingham Trent Hoods
Cambridge Cats 75-67 Derby Trailblazers II
Sheffield Elite Basketball Academy 47-75 West Yorkshire Hawks
Portsmouth Force 82-77 Bracknell Cobras
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