Get set for a thriller at Portslade tonight (8pm) when Brighton Cougars host Tamar Valley in a key NBL division two south clash.

Tamar head east unbeaten in the league but not in the trophy after going down 86-83 at home to Cougars last week.

A dramatic game saw the lead change hands 22 times and five players foul out but Cougars clinched it with a late Emmanuel Laroche basket plus two Steve McQueen free throws.

Cougars were one down at the half.

Stalwart defence and good rebounding were the keys for Cougars with all players contributing.

McQueen hit three three-pointers, Ramy Malik was nine of nine from the line and Jon Turner did a good job leading the fast break.

Cougars scorers: McQueen 23, Malik 17, Ashcombe 14, Turner 8, Laroche 7, Lincoln 5, Sinkfield 4, Morgans 4, Burns 4.

Bognor Pirates coach Dave Goss is ready to make another new signing after losing last week's basement battle at Brixton Topcats.

Pirates slumped 61-48 and only new boy Simon Bryant was excused criticism.

Goss said: "The rest of the team let themselves down, particularly on offence. I hope to make a signing to give us the composure we need."

Pirates were not helped when heavy traffic delayed several players. They had just five men for the first quarter, in which they were outscored 21-7.

Brighton Bears under-18s have a chance to forget their cup woes and score more league points when they host Solent at Worthing Leisure Centre tonight (5.45pm).

Bears went down 80-64 in the cup at London Towers last week and coach Phil Waghorn admitted: "We did not perform. They had more intensity than us."

Bears improved when Mark Hawkins, Alex Smith and Tom Mockford came off the bench but it was not enough.

Tonight's game is the curtain raiser to Worthing Thunder's clash with Kingston and is expected to be close.

Brighton Magic also suffered defeat to the Towers, going down 68-60 in the last eight of the women's trophy.

Kirtsy Dallas fired 31 points but suffered a twisted ankle in the closing stages.

Sarah Cooper added ten but coach Waghorn is keen to get contributions to the scoresheet form elsewhere in the team. He admitted: "We are 3-and-0 in the league but we haven't played to our potential yet."

Magic go to Brixton tomorrow (2pm) in WNBL division two south.