Bears 78 Chester 77: The fans call him King Ralph and Nick Nurse has described him as basaketball's version of the master thief.

Ralph Blalock lived up to both nicknames and more on Saturday to give 3,000 fans a finale they will remember for years.

Blalock struck five seconds from the end of a Brighton Centre epic in which champions Chester Jets held the upper hand for long periods Ecstatic celebrations were already underway in the stands as Pero Cameron missed with a potential match-winning shot on the buzzer.

Most supporters were on the way home and the Brighton players, still in their kit, reliving the drama in their changing room, when Bears' perfect evening was completed by news that leaders Sheffield had lost in double overtime at Thames Valley.

The Sharks come to the Brighton Centre on March 28, which could be another cliffhanger, but it will struggle to match the fairytale outcome of this battle.

Bears coach Nurse said: "What a night. If you could write a script that is exactly how you would want it.

"The atmosphere was awesome. The fans really pulled us through down the stretch. They were really in tune with what was going on and it was fabulous to see.

"I thought Chester were very focused. They could have killed us off but never quite managed it and it's a really big win for us.

"They are still in it with a great chance because they have got the best talent of the top three teams.

"In the end, though, we got the ball to Ralph and he really is a big time player."

Jets certainly know that. This was the third time this season they had been on the end of a masterclass from Blalock, who hails, appropriately, from Chester in Pennsylvania.

He jokes his home town is best known for its basketball talent and high crime rate and Chester must have felt they were mugged by his moment of magic.

For 35 minutes, the champions played it absolutely right.

Their defence forced Bears to shoot from long range rather than get to the rim, they had 17 free throws to just four for their hosts, they withstood any hint of a Brighton third quarter charge and, in John McCord, had the most potent offensive threat on view.

Bears' 12-of-33 three-point shooting was not enough to win the game but it kept them alive, as did 21 offensive rebounds which ensured a steady supply of second chance points.

Wilbur Johnson had 12 boards and Rico Alderson 11 for the only double-doubles of the game as Jets were out-rebounded 44-40.

Bears led for a total of just 60 seconds in the entire contest, including a 22-20 edge at the first break thanks to Alderson's three-pointer.

Jets opened the second quarter with a 16-5 charge, led 45-40 at the half and were nine up midway through the third period.

Errol Seaman hit the last four points of the third to haul it back to 64-62 but, when Todd Cauthorn punished Johnson's fourth foul by sinking both free throws, Chester had a 75-70 lead.

Bears allowed their visitors just two more points in the remaining 4mins 39secs of the game.

Alderson got inside for a basket, then, after Chester failed to get across halfway in the mandatory eight seconds, Mike Brown levelled it with a three.

Calvin Davis restored Chester's lead with 79 seconds to play and Bears still trailed when Johnson could convert just one of two from the line.

Cameron could have clinched it 13 seconds from time but his attempted three rimmed out, giving Bears one last chance.

The plan was for Blalock to take on 5ft.10ins John Thomas and shoot over him.

Instead, he found himself faced by Kenny Gregory, went outside his man, drove to the hoop and, as the giant Cameron moved in to block, guided the ball home to bring the house down.

Blalock admitted: "I didn't think we played our best basketball. Chester are long and athletic and they stopped us getting to the rim.

"We stayed in it though and the fans' support helped us through. They are our sixth man and we needed to give the win back to them and keep our streak going."

Bears: Johnson 17, Blalock 15, Alderson 14, S. Davis 13, Brown 9, Duck 6, Seaman 4.

Chester Jets: McCord 20, Gregory 19, C. Davis 16, Thomas 11, Cameron 7, Cauthorn 4.

Bears are charging a flat rate £5 admission per person for Thursday's clash with Essex Leopards at the Brighton Centre (7pm).

Advance sales are available via the ticket hotline on (01273) 697400.