The Newcastle Eagles' BBL Championship title charge suffered a setback as they were edged out 94-92 at home by the Cheshire Phoenix.
Chez Marks poured in 31 points to power the Phoenix, who edged ahead in the third quarter to snatch their ninth win of the season.
The Sheffield Sharks were 95-87 winners over the Manchester Giants to move up to seventh place, just above Cheshire, while the sixth-placed Worcester Wolves were the latest to tee off on the hapless Mersey Tigers, who dropped to 0-23 this season following a 119-64 rout.
