Birmingham 87 (28,45,69) (R.Johnson 29, Bailey 21, Paternostro 16)
Brighton Bears 89 (21,44,74) (Duck 28, Davis 16, W.Johnson 14)

Brighton Bears stepped up their pursuit of the Southern Conference title with a narrow 89-87 win at Birmingham on Thursday night, moving level with London into first place with an equal 17-11 record.

After a close first half, which Bullets edged 45-44, Bears finished the third quarter with an 8-3 tear to lead 74-69 heading into the final period. Bullets tied the score at 81-81 with four minutes to go, before Bears hit five points in a row to lead 86-81. 

The hosts fought back to within a point at 87-88 and although Rashod Johnson and John O'Connell both had chances, their shots would not go. 

Johnson top scored with 29 points for Bullets, while Brighton's Randy Duck bagged 28 points and nine rebounds.
 

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