Worcester Wolves 94 - Solent Stars 74

SOLENT STARS are finally free of relegation from the English Basketball League - but no thanks to their own efforts.

They entered their penultimate game of the season at Worcester knowing victory would see them safe.

But even though they suffered defeat in the Midlands, Kingston's 40-point loss at champions Sheffield Arrows condemned them to the second and final relegation slot.

That means Solent have no pressure on them when they host Worthing Thunder at Fleming Park on East Sunday (2pm).

Stars suffered a late blow when Paul Silcox, one of the planning starting five at Worcester, was declared unwell to travel.

After Worcester had opened up an early 9-2 lead, Solent - helped by Phil Long having his best game of the season - reduced the arrears to just 16-14.

Trailing by nine going into the second quarter, Solent took a slender half-time lead thanks to winning the quarter 28-17.

Half of the Solent scoring was done by Larry Parker (14) assisted by Marlin Capers (8) and Chris St Omer, Ollie Marsh and Mark Jackson (one basket each).

In contrast, Solent only scored nine points in the third quarter - their lowest single quarter total of the season - while Worcester regained the initiative by scoring 18.

Two consecutive three pointers by Graham Hunter brought Solent back into the game at 67-64 down.

But with neither Parker nor Capers able to post points, Solent slipped 84-74 in arrears at the start of the final minute.

A series of Solent fouls as they tried to gain possession of the ball gifted Worcester another ten points from the free throw line.

Stand-in coach Steve Chant, deputising for the unavailable Alan Cunningham, said: "Half-time came at the wrong time for us!

"Worcester were on the rack, but were able to regroup.

"We just ran out of steam, and the players began to look to one another to take shots rather than taking responsibility themselves."

SCORERS: Larry Parker 20, Marlin Capers 17, Phil Long 12, Mark Jackson 11, Graham Hunter 6, Ollie Marsh 6, Chris St Omer 2.