Cheshire Phoenix brushed off the disappointment of last Sunday's defeat to rivals Manchester Giants by registering a superb 102-84 success at home to Plymouth University Raiders.

The Nix possess an abundance of individual talent on their roster but team performances haven't always been forthcoming this BBL Championship season, but that wasn't the case on Sunday night as they produced one of their best collective displays of the season.

Taylor King, who has struggled to produce his best form in recent weeks, was back to his sublime best and torched the Raiders with a display of 28 points and 15 rebounds while David Aliu, back from injury, was a dominant presence in the paint as he hit 24 points and grabbed 14 boards - eight if them at the offensive end.

Nix head coach John Coffino said: "You can say what you want about stats. When you have 20 assists and are sharing the ball you have a great chance of winning the game. We had contributions from everybody.

"It's just one game but we like to improve heading towards the play-offs, we like to improve with each game and we like to be in good form as far as playing together."

The Nix never looked like losing the contest and we're quick out the blocks, ending the first quarter 10 points up at 28-18. The second continued in the same vein as Coffino's side worked the ball well and stymied the Raiders greatest weapon, the three ball. They went in to the locker room at half time 58-33 to the good.

Last weekend's loss at Manchester had seen the Nix struggle in the second half but there was to be no repeat of that performance at the Northgate as they continued to dominate Jay Marriott's side and succeeded in keeping quiet former Nix ace Gareth Murray.

The home side, missing point guard Mike DiNunno through injury, led by as many as 24 points in the final quarter and the home fans were treated to some excellent offensive play, with Dustin Sailsbery jamming home an alley-oop from King's pass and Simeon Naydenov putting the hammer down Michael Jordan style to bring the home support to their feet.

Demond Watt claimed was the third player to claim a double-double as he hit 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Nix put the gloss on an excellent team performance that boosts their chances of a third place finish and ended the Raiders hopes of making the play-offs.

Next up, runaway BBL Championship leaders Newcastle Eagles on Tyneside on Friday night. They don't come much tougher.

"It doesn't get any easier but our guys believe," said Coffino.

"It will be a major challenge for us but we might meet those guys (Newcastle) down the road in the play-offs and we want to see what we can do against them."