COACH Gavin Love paid tribute to his Plymouth Raiders players' never-say-die philosophy which resulted in an 11th victory in 14 BBL Championship outings at Mersey Tigers.

Point-guard Jeremy Bell top scored for the visitors, who ran out 83-73 victors in a topsy-turvy tie on Merseyside on Friday night.

Raiders are now in fourth place on 22 points in the BBL Championship standings with matches in hand on their nearest rivals, including leaders Newcastle Eagles, who visit the Pavilions on Friday night.

Love said the players were looking forward to pitting their wits against the Eagles after losing twice heavily to Newcastle this season.

The most recent of the Geordie defeats was the 115-94 loss in the BBL Cup final at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena on January 15.

Love said the players were up for the task, as they showed in the all-too-familar – if you are a Raiders' fan – late rally and comeback against a strengthened Mersey outfit.

Raiders, after winning the opening quarter 23-15, dipped badly in the next phase – 25-9 – allowing Tigers to take a four-point half-time lead.

The visitors trimmed Tigers' lead to just two points after taking the third quarter 21-19 and then clinched the 10-point winning margin by claiming the fourth 30-14.

Love said: "We do seem to be becoming experts at pulling off final-quarter victories, don't we?

"While I'd prefer not to have the pulse-racing conclusions in nearly every match we play, I have nothing but praise for the boys who are showing tenacity and talent in abundance.

"Mersey are a lot stronger, particularly in physical size, than the team we played and beat twice before Christmas.

"They've brought in Spanish point-guard (Antonio) Bustamante and have a big, big fellow in (7ft centre) Morakinyo Williams.

"Having those new additions really showed on Friday night, although we were without our captain Anthony Rowe, and praise to Jamal Williams who stepped up in Ant's absence.

"We didn't shoot particularly well in the second quarter and that has been something that has dogged us all season to be honest.

"If there has been a fault with us this term, it's that consistency through all four phases that we've lacked.

"But then we're in the BBL Trophy final and have already been a cup final and are in the top four of the league.

"So, we're not doing a lot wrong and the spirit in the camp at our place is terrific."

Love added: "We've got two big games coming up this weekend at home to Newcastle on Friday and then away to Guildford on Sunday.

"We're expecting a sell-out again at the Pavilions for Newcastle and like the fans, the guys cannot wait for that match.

"If we play for 40 minutes like we did in the last 10 or so at Mersey on Friday, it should be a really good test for us and a treat for the fans."