Bears blast past Lions
Driver Brighton Bears out-scrapped Southern Conference rivals Milton Keynes Lions in an unattractive if competitive battle on the south coast, an 81-74 result giving Charles Bannerman's side their fourth Championship victory of the season.
With neither side shooting particularly well, it was the Bears' defensive abilities which raised them above their visitors, Virgin islander Charles Claxton a tower of strength in the middle as the Lions inside game failed to materialise until the latter stages of the contest.
The hosts trailed 12-17 early on but took the lead at 18-17 with six straight points to end the first quarter and they were never bettered again. A 12-0 run in the following period - bolstered by six straight Lions misses - sent the Bears into the half time break with a 37-24 advantage, enough to feel comfortable.
Trailing by 18 points soon after the re-start, Tom Hancock's side needed a spark but with point guard Modie Cox losing his personal battle with Michael Brown, partner Eric Burks returned from prior anonymity to lead a 2-13 run around the third quarter break before back to back scores from Tony Windless closed his team to within four points with 8:56 remaining.
However reserve Michael Martin hit four in a 7-0 spurt to regain the initiative for the Bears which they never lost again.
"We made it tougher than we ads to," admitted game MVP Lormont Sharp who had 21 points, including 5/7 from three points range. "We did miss a lot of easy shots but that will come."
Windless led all scorers on 23 points with Burks ending on 18.
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