CHESHIRE Phoenix maintained their push for a top-five finish after their convincing 101-91 triumph over Surrey United on Sunday night saw them move level with the London Lions.
The Nix faced two games on the road, falling to an 87-77 defeat at One Health Sheffield Sharks on Friday night before returning to winning ways at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford two days later.
Friday night's encounter with the third-placed Sharks proved an entertaining affair, with both sides playing their part in an end to end game.
The home side managed to do what most BBL teams have so far failed to do this season and keep the talismanic Victor Moses at bay, limiting the three-time BBL Player of the Month, who hit a record-breaking 50 points the previous weekend, to just 14 points.
Dominique Coleman stepped into the breach and high-scored for the Nix, draining 27 points, while Michael Creppy and Devan Bailey both contributed to the offensive effort with 16 points each.
John Lavery's men were undone when the Sharks, who are keeping the pressure up on the leaders at the summit of the BBL, put together a devastating run in the third period when they stretched their advantage to 12 points, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb as they headed into the final quarter.
Despite rallying, the Nix were unable to overturn the deficit and suffered their first defeat on the road in the BBL for four games.
The Nix got the defeat out of their system less than 48-hours later when they saw off the challenge of Paul James' plucky Surrey side to seal a valuable win and move themselves level with the London Lions and strengthen their play-off cause.
Moses was back on form as he led the Nix offensive charge with 31 points, while the impressive Donatas Visockis, a player who has been a huge part of Lavery's charges resurgent run of form since the turn of the year, registered a stunning double-double of 24 points and 16 boards. Creppy continued to grow in stature for the Nix as he helped himself to 20 points in what was a breathless encounter.
Surrey, struggling near the foot of the BBL, have registered only four victories this season but proved no pushovers as they made the Nix work hard for their win.
After trailing early on, the home side managed to level up the tie to go in at the half-time break at 44-44.
They Nix applied the pressure in the third and stretched their lead to nine points before Surrey fought back to cut the visitors lead to just four points.
However, the Nix showed their class and put together a 10-2 run in the final quarter to ensure the win and continue their good form as they head into the business-end of the BBL Championship.
Star men:
vs Sharks - Dominique Coleman
vs Surrey - Donatas Visockis
