Tees Valley Mohawks remain in with a shout of a play-off place.
They lost the first of two crucial back-to-back EBL National League Division One clashes 85-79 away to Worthing Thunder.
But they headed back up to Teesside with a 98-91 victory over NASSA Neptunes at Sports Doick UEL under their belts.
And that kept them 10th in the league table, two places and two points from a play-off place with six games remaining.
Mohawks started their game against Worthing brightly with Charles Rhodes and Bryan Hockaday scored the first four points and as the first quarter went on it was the visitors who looked the more composed.
Romonn Nelson hit five quick points as they took a 15-7 lead, but home stars Hank Rivers and Milton Chavis produced some great play as Worthing ended the quarter 22-19 up.
The second session saw some great basketball for the packed-out Worthing Leisure Centre crowd to enjoy.
Baskets were traded but a big three-point shot by Dominic Baker put Thunder 46-38 ahead at half-time.
Mohawks roared back and reduced the gap to just two points going into the fourth quarter as a change of defence kept Rivers and Chavis in check.
Both teams battled hard in the final period and the game could have gone either way as, with two minutes remaining, it was tied at 75-75.
But Worthing finished the game stronger and hit some big shots down the stretch saw them across the finish line.
“This game came down to the last two minutes,” said a disappointed Mohawks coach, Steve Butler.
“Credit to Worthing as they hit some big shots and we played well in defence but two turnovers hurt us badly.”
Against bottom side NASSA the following day, Mohawks made a sluggish start and were 24-13 down at the end of the first quarter.
Butler let his team know what was needed and Rob Donaldson stepped up on his return to the court, hitting an impressive 15 first half points to reduce Neptunes’ lead to 49-47 at half-time.
A strong second half saw Mohawks take the lead and hold on to it for the rest of the game.
Donaldson continued his fine form as he scored a game high 25 points and was well supported by Hockaday who had another double double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
“It wasn’t our best performance and we played a lot better against Worthing,” said Butler, “but we won and that is all that matters.
“I will take another six disappointing performances and win all six rather than play really well and lose.
“The guys gave me everything this weekend and I’m proud of the team and that our play-off hopes are still in our hands.”
Mohawks are on the road again this weekend when they visit Reading Rockets.
Meanwhile Mohawks II secured National League Division Three safety with an impressive 59-41 victory against Leeds Allerton at Teesside University’s Olympia Building
Coach Tyler McClure said: “Our defence was exceptional.
“We played good offence but our defence made us win this game - it was the best I’ve seen all season.
“We played well as a team and are looking forward to next week’s final home game.”
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