Playmaker Rod Brown hit the late three-pointer which ended Bears' unbeaten start to the season.

The former Leopards point guard was left all alone as the shot clock expired to give Towers an 87-86 lead with 42 seconds to play.

Towers then closed the game out to score their first success of the season.

It was galling for Bears who, in a league game which felt more like a play-off, allowed their hosts off the hook.

They wiped out a 13-point half-time deficit and led by seven going into the last seven minutes.

Towers new boy Omar Sneed was the star of the first half as his side took a 53-40 lead but Rico Alderson matched him in the third quarter.

Brought back off the bench having run into foul trouble, Alderson inspired a 14-0 run, including the steal and assist for Kendrick Warren's dunk to give his side the lead.

Alderson then hit two quick threes and Mike Brown came up with some huge plays, including the one-handed finish under pressure which made it 75-68 with seven minutes to play.

Towers scored 12 of the next 14 points but Bears eventually regained the lead with a spin move by Warren as he was fouled with 72 seconds to play.

They proved to be Bears' last points. Warren, who failed to dominate on his old home court, missed the extra point, one of his seven free throw failures in eight attempts.

In fact, Bears were just nine-of-20 from the line while their hosts were handed 34 free throws, worth 26 points.

Even after Brown's late strike, Bears had chances, but Alderson saw a tough fall-away jumper bounce off the rim and Duck, looking to force overtime, failed to get a finger roll to drop and was called for an intentional foul in the ensuing melee.

That hotly-disputed call ended the contest but Bears should have finished it long before.

MATCH FACTS - Quarter scores: 26-20, 27-20, 11-28, 27-18.

Towers scorers: Sneed 31, R. Brown 21, Youngblood 16, Blalock 8, Kitt 8, Greer 7.

Bears scorers: Warren 20, Alderson 17, Duck 16, M. Brown 13, Alleyne 6, Gardiner 6, Frederick 4, Perre 2, Siemon 2.

Top rebounders: Sneed 10, Youngblood 8; Warren 13, Alderson 10.

Most assists: R. Brown 5; Alderson 7.

Biggest leads: Towers 53-40, 55-42; Bears 12-5, 68-61, 75-68.