They narrowed the gap between them and second from bottom Bristol Basketball United (BBU), while Liverpool also lost.
Cardiff City (2-14) secured only their second win of the season as they downed Bristol Basketball United (BBU) (4-15) 79-75.
After a blistering start from the hosts, who led 27-10, they torpedoed back down again in the second, allowing Bristol to hit back. Going into the third quarter, BBU somehow recovered for a 42-40 lead, and from here it was about who could hold their nerve.
Cardiff regrouped well and saw out the game despite late pressure from their visitors. Lewis Tucker led the way with 33 points, playing out all 40 minutes for the Welsh side.
Tyrin Hollis amassed 18 points for Bristol.
Cardiff City’s win also helped them elsewhere, as Liverpool (3-16) lost 96-70 to Myerscough Basketball Academy (9-8), as their superb late season form continues.
Marcus Robinson paced the victors with 29 points as a closely-contested game was blown open in the fourth as Myerscough exploded out the gate to take the final ten 31-9.
Manchester Magic (12-7) remains in the hunt for a spot in the post-season, as they edged Worcester Wolves (6-12) 60-55. Demi Babalola led Manchester with 21 points, supported by 13 from Jack Walton.
Up at the top of the standings, and St Helens Saints (14-4) blew the title race open with a 92-78 win at home to leaders Leicester Warriors (16-4).
Connor Murtagh led the Saints with 24 points as the North league stays on a knife edge. The Saints face second placed Bristol Academy Flyers II next weekend.
Another team not out of contention either are Encon Derbyshire Arrows (15-5), who ground out a 94-89 win on the road to Cardiff Met Archers (8-11). Hamza Ibrahim led all scorers with 32 points for the Arrows.
London Stars increased their lead at the top of the NBL2 South standings in a condensed slate of games.
The Stars (17-3) were comfortable 104-78 victors over Westminster Warriors (4-16) as they move closer towards a league title. Ryan Martin had 22 points for London, who took advantage of Solent and Barking Abbey not in action this weekend.
Barnet Bulldogs (9-10) secured a 92-90 win over Cobham Scorchers (6-15) thanks to 30 points from James Mitchell. Cobham gave themselves hope, but a three-pointer from Max Coupe in the dying seconds proved to be too little, too late.
After falling behind in the first quarter, London Elite (11-9) sprung into life, on their way to a deserved 78-59 success over Richmond Knights (10-11).
The battle of the bottom two had all the makings of a closely-fought, physical battle. However, Essex Rebels II (2-14) made light work of Endeavour Ipswich Basketball (2-16), dismissing them 103-67 as Alvin Fleming led five players in double figures with 17 points.
London All Stars (14-0) are pushing closer to an unbeaten season as they saw-off East London Phoenix (8-5) 48-42 in Pool II. Team Solent Kestrels (8-7) resurgence continues as they convincingly topped London Elite (9-4) 85-66.
In Pool I, Bromsgrove Bears (11-2) head up Pool I, beating Charnwood Riders (6-7) 61-55, but not far behind are Milton Keynes Breakers (10-1), who secured a narrow 75-71 win at Cardiff Met Archers (6-6) on Sunday.
Liverpool 70-96 Myerscough Basketball Academy - LIVE STATS
Cardiff City 79-75 Bristol Basketball United (BBU) - LIVE STATS
Worcester Wolves 55-60 Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
Cobham Scorchers 90-92 Barnet Bulldogs - LIVE STATS
Westminster Warriors 78-104 London Stars - LIVE STATS
London Elite 78-59 Richmond Knights - LIVE STATS
Endeavour Ipswich 67-103 Essex Rebels II - LIVE STATS
Hemel Storm 36-55 Oaklands College Wolves II
London Elite 66-85 Team Solent Kestrels
London All Stars 48-42 East London Phoenix
Bromsgrove Bears 61-55 Charnwood Riders
Charnwood Riders 70-86 Birmingham City University
Manchester Kings 55-109 West Yorkshire Hawks
Oaklands Wolves 91-88 Warwickshire Hawks
University of Hertfordshire Storm 82-89 Derby Trailblazers II
London Sharks 80-73 Kent Crusaders
Brighton Bears 58-70 Oxford Hoops
Cardiff Met Archers 70-100 Surrey 89ers
Crawley Storm 95-47 Plymouth Marjon Patriots
Bath Basketball 76-75 Portsmouth Force
Bracknell Cobras 71-86 Plymouth Raiders
Cambridge Cats 84-74 Northamptonshire Titans
St Helens Saints 92-78 Leicester Warriors
Cardiff Met Archers 89-94 Encon Derbyshire Arrows - LIVE STATS
Stevenage Royals Women 27-65 London Cavaliers II
Cardiff Met Archers 71-75 Milton Keynes Breakers
London Elite 67-51 Endeavour Ipswich Basketball II
University of East Anglia 61-85 Derby Trailblazers II
Cheshire Wire 59-96 Sheffield Sharks
Tameside Vikings 118-60 Stockport Falcons
University of Hertfordshire Storm 93-84 Cambridge Cats
Manchester Kings 81-74 Sheffield Elite Basketball Academy
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Words by John Hobbs