EVERTON TIGERS needed four late points from Olu Babalola to keep the pressure on Newcastle Eagles with an 80-79 success at Cheshire Jets.
But Eagles remain top of the BBL after another valuable road win, a 91-78 victory at MK Lions.
They ended the third quarter on a 5-2 run to lead 72-62 heading into the final 10 minutes and were not tested after that, with Fab Flournoy and Charles Smith scoring three-pointers to keep Lions at bay.
Worcester Wolves kept themselves in the play-off picture with a 98-91 road win at Scottish Rocks – while Guildford Heat made it two wins in two nights against bottom club London Capital, winning 99-73.
Plymouth Raiders and Guildford Heat racked up victories over the BBL Championship’s bottom two to keep up the pressure on the leaders.
The Raiders beat Worthing Thunder 90-76 – their fourth victory over the south coast side this season – to close to within two points of second-placed Everton.
Their fourth win in five games was inspired by 20 points from Drew Lasker.
