ESSEX Pirates were beaten 108-86 at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre last night.
Pirates led 29-28 at the end of the first quarter and were still in contention at half-time as they were losing just 54-53.
But the long season seemed to get to them at the end of the third quarter as the Lions roared ahead to a 78-72 lead which then stretched further ahead to the final score of 108-86.
Taner Adu top scored for Pirates with 22 points while Randy George added 20 and Marcus Knight 11.
