Brighton Cougars are ready for a long haul north in the play-offs after losing to Brixton in dramatic fashion.

Cougars went down 98-96 in overtime, sunk by a buzzer beater which seems certain to cost them second place in NBL division two south.

The final table has yet to be determined and depends on how Thames Valley Tigers B team's final results affect head-to-head calculations.

Cougars coach Mike Blatchford knew his team should have made sure of home advantage in the play-offs rather than a possible trip to powerful Liverpool.

He said: "It was tough to take but both teams played well. It wasn't a thing of beauty but that is because both teams played defence with a lot of intensity.

"Generally we played well enough to win the game but we did not quite shoot well enough."

Cougars had a six-point lead in overtime but lost the extra period 12-10.

Regulation was close all the way through.

Cougars were four up with a minute to go but needed top scorer Ramy Malik to hit two of three from the line to force overtime.

Malik converted 14 of 17 free throws overall and had a couple of three-pointers in his 40 points.

There was also a point for new Japanese signing Yamazaki who is studying English in this country and could be a decent pick-up.

Blatchford said: "He is a good player although communication is a bit difficult at the moment.

"He is an off guard and he has got a good shot, is quick and takes the ball to the basket. He looks a very smart player."

The play-off quarter-finals are due to take place on the weekend of March 29-30.

Cougars: Malik 40, Burns 16, McQueen 15, Morgans 11, Laroche 7, Lincoln 6, Yamazaki 1.