So Mark Dunning got it right. His battling Bears could not topple the Towers.

But they gave it a much better shot than the misleading final scoreline would suggest.

Bottom-of-the-table Bears led the Conference top dogs for most of the first half and were only six points adrift 98 seconds from the end of Saturday's Championship clash.

Then top scorer Demetric Reese was fouled out for what he argued was a charge into him by Tim Wideman and the white flag went up in no uncertain manner.

Reese paced around like a Bear with a sore head, his colleagues committed a series of fouls in a futile protest against the officials and Towers happily topped up their tally at the free-throw line to the sound of near silence in the previously vibrant arena.

It was a sad end for Bears and coach Dunning, who had told any media man who wanted to listen in the run-up to the game that Bears stood no chance.

He admitted: "For the first time in my career of 20 years I played a little game with the press.

"I've been telling my guys all week that we're going to beat them. I wanted to put a message out for Nick Nurse (Towers coach) to take into his locker room. Whether it worked or not I don't know."

The hosts' lack of composure in the closing stages cost them dear or, as Dunning put it: "We didn't play smart down the stretch.

"In a way, the expectation is a little high to ask a young, inexperienced team in a game like that to come up with the plays.

"We've got to play against the No.1 team in the nation and the two officials. It's hard to do.

"We are improving but unfortunately our record is taking some knocks. Our aim is to make the play-offs but every time we put an L in the column it makes it harder."

He added: "With a young side it's a rollercoaster ride but you have to accept it.

Towers can obviously play with poise and that's what comes with experience. The day will come when we can do that."

The likes of ex-LA Laker Steve Bucknall, England skipper Ronnie Baker and perennial trophy winner Martin Henlan have played in more hostile surroundings than Burgess Hill's family-friendly Triangle centre.

But for most of the first quarter they were given a runaround as Bears, with Reese in dazzling form, enjoyed a seven-point lead.

Then came one of those barren spells which seem to bedevil Dunning's side as they leaked 14 unanswered points before Mike Brown's first three-pointer of a subdued night helped restore parity.

Bears forged into a 42-40 lead, defended tigerishly and went off at half-time to a rapturous ovation.

They were less fluent in the third quarter and gave up far too many rebounds under their own basket.

Livewire Baker hit two three-pointers in the space of a few seconds to give Towers a lead they were never to lose, but battling Bears were threatening a rousing finale until the wheels came off late on.

Dave Wahl, the game's top rebounder on either team with 12, said: "We were in it until two minutes left.

"We've been focussed all week and we thought we would win this game.

"We let it go wrong for ourselves. It's not luck, you make your opportunities for yourself."

What players and fans alike need now is that elusive first home win.

And, if they have to share the moment with the viewers of Sky Sports next Saturday, all the better.

Bears: Reese 27, Johnson 15, Wahl 15, Wallace 11, Brown 9, Seaman 3.

Towers: Taylor 18, Warren 17, Baker 16, Wideman 15, Bucknall 143, Hester 11, Henry 4, Henlan 2.