Nick Nurse insists his Brighton Bears will benefit from a European battering, despite another defeat in France last night.

Bears went down 80-73 to Paris Basket Racing, the team partly owned by San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker, in the Moise Millois tournament.

The best they can now hope for is fifth place in the high-quality six-team event.

Andrew Alleyne again caught the eye, hitting 20 points. Ryan Huntley added 15 while Steve Lepore and Yorick Williams had 14 apiece.

Coach Nurse said: Paris played really hard, they played really good defence, but that is good for us. We improved from Thursday night and had some chances.

Nurse, whose team train this afternoon before playing off for fifth place tomorrow, admitted the games had highlighted why he wants to bring in 6ft 11ins Ajou Deng, who has not made the trip but is likely to sign next week.

He said: We only played with seven guys and we could use Dengs versatility. Tony Holley is not in ideal shape but that will improve.

The British League season got off to an explosive start as both first-night games went to overtime. Scottish Rocks came from 16 points down to win 85-82 at Newcastle and Chester edged out Sheffield 90-83.