Louis Allen has revealed he had special reason to sink two high-pressure free throws for Worthing Thunder.

The Thunder guard invited his mum to watch Thunder host Hemel Storm to celebrate her birthday.

Then he found himself on the line with Thunder one point down and just nine seconds remaining.

Allen made both, then Hank Rivers stole the ball back on Hemel’s next possession and made a free throw as Thunder ran out 87-85 winners, their second successive NBL division one win.

The Argus:

Thunder look content with the win at the end

Milton Chavis led Worthing with 29 points with Rivers adding 26 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.

Allen said: “I stepped to the line and both Milton and Hank both came up to me and said ‘You got this, we seen you make these all day’.

“Two great players put trust in me and I was glad make them for my team-mates, for the great crowd and for my mum, whose birthday it was.”

Thunder fell away late on to lose 82-74 at Reading in the semi-finals of the National Cup on Sunday.

They were outscored 21-3 over the final five minutes although coach Daniel Hildreth felt his side were hindered by refereeing decisions.

Chavis scored 26 points and Rivers had a 16 and 13 double-double.

Hildreth said: “The referees changed the game.”

Division four

Sussex Bears are in great nick ahead of Saturday’s derby at BC Crawley United in division four south east.

They replaced United at the top of the table and continued their good run with a 65-54 win at Kent Crusaders II on Saturday.

Bears tend to spread the points around. Bud Johnston led them with 17, Liam Mitchell added 14 and Marcus Tullis 11.

Having led by three at the end of the third quarter, Bears pulled away by outscoring their hosts 21-13 in the fourth.

Crawley United admitted they lacked cohesion after a shock 103-79 defeat at Greenwich Titans.

United shot at less than 20% from the floor and struggled for rebounds as they slipped to second place.

Guard Modestas Krasauskas led Crawley with 32 points, Marius Ceponis added 21 and Gytis Medzevepris had ten.

Brighton Cougars cruised home 80-54 over struggling London Westside II at their home court in Brentford.

Lucien Christofis scored 16 points as Cougars shared the glory around.

Coming next

Thunder (3-5) make another trip north to face Bradford Dragons (2-6) in NBL division one on Saturday (6.15pm).

It is their second visit this term following an overtime National Cup win last month.

It’s derby day on Saturday in division four south east as Crawley United (7-2) host Sussex Bears (7-1) at St Wilfrid’s School (4.30pm).

Brighton Cougars (5-2) are at home to Kent Crusaders II (4-3) at BHASVIC on Sunday (4pm).