Nick Nurse has picked up a record 11th coach of the month award.

The Brighton Bears chief was voted the best playcaller in the British League for December.

He pipped Sheffield's Peter Scantlebury and Chester's Paul Smith, taking 38 per cent of votes cast by fans.

Nurse led Bears to the only unblemished record, with four wins in the league and two in the BBL Trophy.

It was enough to see them qualify for the semi-finals of the Trophy and put pressure on Sheffield at the top of the standings.

Bears also picked up their first win in Europe, with a 91-85 success in Split.

Nurse said: "The players worked their socks off and this is a tribute to them."

Mike Pegues of Leicester took the players' award.

Bears fly to Lithuania on Monday morning for Tuesday's tough ULEB Cup date at Lietuvos Rytas.