DEPLETED Solent Stars scraped out the narrowest of victories in London on Saturday night, to go into the Christmas break with a 3-2 record in the NBL Conference.

They eked out a 95-93 victory over InterBasket London - a team they have already beaten twice this season in the National Trophy.

Then the margins of victory were 15 points and four points, but this one was even tighter.

With Alan Cunningham not travelling to the away game, Dimitry LaCroix in France and Chris St Omer a last minute victim of 'flu, Solent had only eight fit players for the trip to the capital.

In addition, one of the eight, Trevor Donaldson, was suffering with a heavy cold.

Solent's lack of rebounding ability was exposed early on, as InterBasket's opening six points came with second phase shots after collecting rebounds from Solent's defensive board.

American playmaker Marlin Capers had only one scoring shot in the first half, but by the mid-point of the second quarter he was in major foul trouble and on four fouls.

Coach Mark Scott chose to rest Capers, which left fellow American, John Bynum, to take on the lion's share of Solent's play and he responded with ten points and several rebounds.

InterBasket scored a three pointer right on the buzzer to take an eight point half-time lead, 47-39.

A flying start by Solent in the third quarter saw baskets from Marlin Capers, Nic OHarabe and John Bynum wipe out the deficit in just over two minutes.

However, dogged resistance by the InterBasket team, who for the second half were without influential Andrew Bailey, who had injured his ankle, meant that Solent were unable to take the lead until the ninth minute of the quarter when Alan McDonald's three pointer took them ahead 63-61.

Solent went into the last quarter with a four point lead, which soon built to nine.

This lead was gradually eroded by InterBasket, but Solent held on to the lead throughout the quarter.

Nic O'Harabe fouled out with five minutes remaining.

His replacement, Trevor Donaldson, came on and landed an important three pointer just after InterBasket had reduced Solent's lead to three points in the sixth minute of the final quarter.

Solent stretched their lead to ten points, 89-79, with just three minutes remaining, but a rally by InterBasket, helped by some inept Solent play, meant that with 30 seconds remaining, Solent led by just three point 93-90.

At this point, Marlin Capers, having played the whole half on four fouls, coolly stepped up to sink two free throws.

A three pointer by InterBasket right at the end was not enough for them and Solent took the spoils in this hard-fought game.

SOLENT STARS: John Bynum 35 Marlin Capers 19 Alan McDonald 13 Nic Oharabe 13 Duane Laight 6 Trevor Donaldson 6 Steve Davison 3.