Leopards 73 Bears 87: Brighton Bears made it six wins in a row last night to clinch the two prizes they wanted from their trip to Brentwood.

The 14 point victory in an undistinguished tussle earned them the double reward of league leadership and a couple of welcome days off.

Mike Brown led them home with 18 points, Randy Duck had ten rebounds and Rico Alderson connected with all three of his three-point attempts as Bears proved their swift transition offence was still in good order.

Coach Nick Nurse said: "We had more energy than I figured we would. We were not outstanding at either end of the floor but how could we not be happy with our weekend."

Bears went 9-2 down but posted two runs of 10-2 to take the opening quarter 27-20.

Their lead varied between 12 and two points in the second period before an and-one from Sterling Davis steadied them and set up a 43-37 advantage at the half.

They built on that with the first six points in the second half and continued forcing turnovers with aggressive defence.

Wilbur Johnson finished with a dunk after Ralph Blalock had waltzed around Yorick Williams to stretch the lead to 62-46 approaching the final break.

Leopards, for all the skills of point guard Rod Brown, never cut arrears below ten from that point.

Essex Leopards: R. Brown 25, Sanders 13, McIntosh 12, Fisher 7, Williams 6, Webster 5, Redd 5.

Brighton Bears: M. Brown 18, Duck 17, Alderson 17, Davis 13, Johnson 12, Blalock 9, Johnston 1.