SOLENT STARS 92 (25, 44, 64)

KINGSTON 83 (17, 34, 59)

Solent Stars came away from a visit to the Arena in Kingston with a much-needed victory against league basement club Wildcats.

However, Stars had to hold their nerve when the hosts came from behind to take the lead in the third quarter.

The Stars got off to a good start against the team who had sacked their coach at the beginning of the week following a home loss to fellow-strugglers Coventry Crusaders.

Paul Silcox was in the action early, both scoring and rebounding to good effect.

Larry Parker supplied a steady stream of points and Marlin Capers added to the home team's pressure with some well-taken fade-away two pointers.

Solent looked in control as they established a 25-17 first quarter lead.

The visitors slightly increased the points difference by half-time, playing steady basketball, but still committed the occasional error to keep Kingston in the hunt.

Chris St Omer, pictured below, picked up three quick fouls to limit coach Alan Cunningham's options as he brought players in and out of the game.

The third quarter proved exciting as Kingston put up a spirited rally. With Parker and Capers unable to find their scoring touch (only six points between them in the quarter), Solent saw Kingston eventually take the lead in the ninth minute.

Ollie Marsh then scored an important three pointer and followed this up by stealing the ball and driving through for two more points, plus one from the free throw line when he was fouled on shooting.

This raised the spirits of the team, despite losing St Omer to his fifth foul.

Kingston responded at the beginning of the final quarter to outscore Solent 7-2 in the first three minutes.

Capers, Parker and Marsh (twice) added points to keep Solent's ahead.

Mark Jackson, Marsh and Silcox worked tirelessly to keep Solent's advantage during a last hectic few minutes.

Solent were helped by a technical foul called on a Kingston player, allowing Jackson to give them a further two-point cushion.

A third blocked shot by Parker stopped any further rally from Kingston to give Solent an outside chance of qualifying for the play-offs.

Coach Cunningham, while delighted with the win, said there was still room for improvement.

"We should have blown them away with our first half performance," he remarked.

"We practise for close end-of-game situations, but the players need to be better disciplined if we are to gain many more wins."

SCORERS: Larry Parker 25, Marlin Capers 19, Ollie Marsh 16, Paul Silcox 14, Mark Jackson 12, Mike McGregor 3, Phil Long 2, Chris St Omer 1.