Bears skipper Randy Duck could not have picked a better time to take a look at one of his successors in the California back court.

Duck, in the Bay Area recovering from a hernia, saw Cal Golden Bears beat Southern California 73-68 as Richard Midgley hit a career best 23 points.

Midgley, from Burgess Hill, went four-of-eight from both two and three-point range and converted all three of his free throws.

He had five rebounds and followed up to put home the crucial basket in the closing moments.

Coach Ben Braun said: "Richard certainly stepped up. That offensive put back he had could not have been any bigger."

Midgley has been a regular starter in Pac-10 Conference action. He said: "We are unbeaten in the Pac-10 through six games and everything is going well."

Cal's clash with UCLA is being screened freeview by NASN tonight (9pm).

Pat Bates, the 6ft.9ins teenager from Worthing, is now sixth man at Belmont Abbey, North Carolina.

Bates had six points and four boards in Abbey Criusaders' latest away win.

Crusaders are 11-3 overall and 5-2 in their league and coach Dip Metrees said: "Pat has been playing very well as of late."

Brighton Bears juniors suffered a setback in their battle to make the play-offs, losing 76-51 to Solent.

Bears managed just 13 points in the second half, of which Sam Mead had nine, after Oli Roche's fine form had raised hopes of win.

They trailed 18-15 at the first break and were 28-17 down when Roche hit 11 points in the second quarter. That helped Bears change ends with a 38-32 deficit. Roche finished with 18 points, Mead had 17 and Tommy Duncan six The cadets went down to East London.

There was National League disappointment for Brighton Cougars under-14s at Swindon Sonics as they lost a ten-point lead to lose 47-42 to Reading, then went down 40-26 to the host club.

Coach Mike Blatchford admitted: "The game against Reading was the key to the whole day as we allowed questionable officiating to affect our play. We need to be more resilient in these situations ."

Cougars did not help their cause by missing 13 of 21 free throws.

Jeremy England produced the most consistent performance and Felix Cox came up with a regular supply of points and rebounds. Cougars were pleased with under-13 players Kingsley Clarke and Ian Davey.

Cougars (v Reading): England 14, Cox 8, Clark 5, Cole 5, Attwater 2, Finney 2, Karakaishian 2, Rigby 2, Roberts 2.

Cougars (v Swindon): Cox 7, Roberts 6, Clarke 5, Attwater 4, England 2, Karakaishian 2.