Brighton Bears have issued the clearest warning yet that they mean serious business in the British League.

Nick Nurse's men went to high-flying Scottish Rocks on Friday night and handed out a 92-53 hammering at the Braehead Arena.

Bears led 50-19 at the halfway point against a side beaten just once previously this season and with seven straight wins to their name.

It was the perfect way to ease the frustrations of their ULEB Cup campaign and sets them up nicely for Tuesday's tough tie at Cholet.

The result leaves Rocks, Brighton and Sheffield with two defeats apiece but Nurse's men have won away to both their rivals in recent weeks.

Bears fly back south this afternoon before catching a Monday morning flight to France.

This was their second successive astounding away result, having come from 16 points down to win at Sheffield a fortnight ago, and both have come on the back off 11-point European defeats.

Bears chief Nurse said: "We are getting better but we haven't had too many chances to show that in the BBL.

"We never dreamed it would like this up here. We came to Scotland expecting a dogfight.

"I admit I was a bit worried because we are still pretty tired.

"It was one of those nights where we played pretty well and hit lots of shots and the Scottish Rocks couldn't buy a basket."

Yorick Williams led the onslaught with five three-pointers in the first half.

Andrew Alleyne and Mike Brown each connected twice from long range, Jason Siemon had his best game for weeks and the visitors took 68 rebounds.

Bears had two major runs, going 18-0 in the first half and 15-0 in the third quarter as home dangermen Jerry Williams and Niki Arinze were kept very quiet.

At the other end, skipper Randy Duck led some practice-court offensive ploys as Bears kept the ball moving swiftly and found the open man.

The lead was 42 points before Rocks, coached by former Bears No. 2 Steve Swanson, hit the last three points of the night.

The only setback was a recurrence of Tom Frederick's foot injury, which is giving Nurse real cause for concern.

Frederick is now doubtful for the French trip, as is Andy Gardiner with a knee problem.

Dave Morgan returns to the side and Olumide Oyedeji makes his debut.

Cholet do not have the best of preparations for Tuesday's game.

They do not play until tomorrow afternoon, when they visit second-placed Le Mans in the French Pro A
Quarter scores: 11-24, 8-26, 20-21, 14-21.

Rocks scorers: Williams 12, McGee 12, Perre 10, Gordon 8, Arinze 8, Kruse 3.

Bears scorers: Williams 19, Warren 18, Siemon 14, Alleyne 12, Brown 10, Phillips 9, Duck 4, Alderson 4, Frederick 2.

Rebounds: Rocks 31 (Williams 9), Bears 68 (Warren 12, Alderson 12, Frederick 8).

Assists: Rocks 9, Bears 11 (Brown 6, Duck 4).

Other highlights: Williams 5/8 3pt shooting, Brown 4 steals, Warren 5 blocks.