Brighton Bears had Rico Alderson ejected for the second game in a row as they lost their 100 per cent league record at fellow title chasers Sheffield Sharks.

Alderson may now face automatic suspension after being thrown out along with Sharks' Justin Phoenix midway through the final quarter.

Point guard Rob Yanders hit the game-winning basket to take Sheffield to the top of the table above Bears, who have two games in hand.

It was another setback for Bears coming after their first defeat of the season at London Towers in the Trophy but assistant coach Steve Swanson felt there was nothing wrong with the manner of the performance.

He said: "Sheffield is a tough place to come and win and it was a big game for them having played more games.

"It was unfortunate for us that, having made a series of good defensive plays, the ball landed in their point guard's hands and he was wide open."

Alderson's ejection came after a flare up between him and Phoenix, and it was the Sharks man who was called for the original foul.

Both players were thrown out after Alderson retaliated and Swanson said: "It happened very quickly. From our standpoint Phoenix is a big strong guy and he was using his weight against us throwing elbows.

"That was the lead up to it. Any ejection is reviewed and, although I don't know the ramifications, it is possible an automatic suspension may follow."

Lynard Stewart hit a game high 24 points and Nate Reinking fired 19 as Sharks avenged their defeat at the hands of Bears at the end of October.

Bears were edged out after producing a super-charged third quarter when they outscored their opponents 26-13 to lead 67-59.

There was little between the teams in the final period and late free throws from ex-Sharks player Wilbur Johnson and Randy Duck tied the scores before Yanders' decider.

A tight first quarter saw Bears lead 25-24 but they went ten points behind in the second before crossing over 46-41 down.

Swanson admitted that, given his side's outstanding run of results, they might have expected them to hang on to their lead after the third quarter but he is pleased they have an early chance to bounce back.

Towers' 104-91 Trophy defeat by Thames Valley Tigers means that Bears can yet secure a semi-final place by beating Tigers at the Brighton Centre tomorrow.

Bears Scorers: Johnson 22, Davies 18, Duck 12, Blalock 12, Alderson 11, Brown 8, Etete 1 Sharks (leading scorers): Stewart 24, Reinking 19, Williams 14, Yanders 8.

Worthing Thunder produced their best team performance so far this season to win 112-96 at struggling Ware Rebels.

Although they trailed 30-28 at the first interval, Thunder were never in real danger of losing and had taken a 53-49 lead at half-time.

Rani Malik hit three successive three-pointers in a decisive third quarter as Thunder stretched their lead to 19 points at one stage.

They started the fourth quarter 80-65 ahead and coach Gary Smith took the chance to give his bench players an outing in preparation for next Saturday's eagerly awaited Trophy semi-final at home to Plymouth (8pm).

Nick O'Haraby was one of the stars of the show, proving he is back to full fitness with 18 points and a host of rebounds.

Scorers: Jerry 27, Moore 21, O'Haraby 18, Malik 15, Harris 12, Addy 7, Hildreth 6, Brame 6