Haribo London Towers missed the chance to seal the Southern Conference's top seed on Sunday, edged out 82-76 at Milton Keynes.

And while the capital outfit had benefitted from the ejection of Leopards' coach Bob Donewald 24 hours earlier, it was Towers chief Nick Nurse whose departure arguably held sway this time, the American's removal in the second quarter setting the tone for a highly charged encounter.

Lions dominated the first half, including notching up an 11-2 second quarter tear, which helped them to a 45-29 half-time advantage. Despite the coach's absence, Towers fought back and six straight points from Steve Bucknall, as well as three consective three pointers from Wayne Henry, Eric Burks and Ronnie Baker, brought them back to within two points at 66-64. 

They went on to take the lead at 69-66 early in the fourth quarter, but Lions hit ten of the last 12 points and inflicted Towers their first away defeat of the season.

29 points from Jason Siemon led the hosts who took a 66-64 cushion into the final period and held off their guests in the final stretch. 

Kendrick Warren fired a team-best 26 for London who remain one victory away from clinching the Southern title.

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