Despite a strong start, Cheshire Phoenix suffered an 87-71 defeat at the hands of London Lions at the Copper Box in the BBL last night.
John Coffino's Phoenix side headed to the capital buoyed by an excellent 92-72 success over Bristol Flyers on Sunday night, but a third game in five days proved a bridge too far for the Nix as they suffered a loss at the high-flying Lions, despite putting in a determined display.
Demond Watt, fresh from being named Molton BBL Player of the Month for October, was the star man for the Nix, claiming a double-double with a haul of 21 points, 12 rebounds and a 66% efficiency rating from the field.
The visitors started well and found themselves 22-16 up at the end of the first quarter, but a rally by the Lions in the second saw the teams head into the locker room tied at 42-42 at half-time.
The strong Lions side, which boasted last season's BBL Player of the Year in Zaire Taylor (21 points) as well as Great Britain international Drew Sullivan and the game's high-point man Lovell Cook (24 points), saw the home side pull away in the third and fourth quarters as they managed to keep a determined Phoenix at arms length.
The home side's strength in depth proved key as Adrien Sturt drained 11 from the bench while Taylor King (15), Julius Hodge (12), David Aliu (11) and point guard Mike Di Nunno (10) were the Nix players to make double digits.
Defeat leaves the Nix at 3-5 in the BBL so far this season but they have the chance to bounce back at the Northgate Arena on Sunday (5.30pm) when they take on Durham Wildcats.
