TEAM Solent Kestrels returned to winning ways less than 24 hours after dropping their first home game in nearly four years, with a convincing 99-60 win over Loughborough Riders. Kestrels would be made to work for their victory after a slow first quarter but used an impressive second period to control the game from there on out, writes Jack O'Keefe.

It was a sluggish start for both sides and looked every bit the second game of a double header for both squads in the first quarter. TSK edged ahead 7-3 behind an Elliot Dadds three ball with a little under three minutes played but neither side would score again until almost four minutes later. The hosts opened up a five point advantage after Elliott Sentance and Orlan Jackman came off the bench to score in the paint but a Conroy Hayden three before the buzzer, left the score at 13-11 after one.

A 10-0 run to open the second was exactly what the game needed, if you were a TSK fan, as Andre Arissol and Travis Charles found their scoring rhythm to put their side up 23-11. Harrison Gamble and Justin Hedley replied for the Riders to keep them within reach but when Brendan Okoronkwo put back restored an 11 point lead, that would spark a Loughborough timeout. Kestrels closed the half on an 11-1 turning up the heat defensively and finding a number of high percentage scoring looks at the opposite end, 42-21 TSK were in charge at the break.

It was back and forth to open the second half and Riders showed they were not going anywhere Kanu Gudza and again Gamble cut the arrears to 15. Joe Bielak did follow up with a lay up to trim it to 13 but Cole Gentry and Arissol went back to back from beyond the arc to calm any Kestrels nerves. Kemel Archer pushed the lead back to 20 with a little over four minutes left in the period and a 14-4 run to close the quarter, behind an impressive Okoronkwo coast to coast lay up to beat the buzzer, saw TSK firmly in control at 71-44.

Charles and Sentance scored 5 quick points to open the final ten minutes and that would be enough to dash any hopes of a late Rider come back, with the lead now at 32. Luke Busumbru and Sentance once again would set about pouring on the offensive fire power, to push the scoreline out to 81-45. Sentance continued his fine form from three as he added two more in the closing stages, backed up by a pair of trademark Chris Scarlett three’s to see Kestrels run out 99-60 winners.

Kestrels Head Coach Matt Guymon was pleased with his side's bounce back victory; “I’m proud of the response we got from the guys today after a tough loss last night. Loughborough are an organised and well balanced group and even though they were missing some players, they provided a number of challenges early in the game for us. We now look to continue to build some consistency in our performances in this tough upcoming run of games.”

Team Solent Kestrels were led by Mr instant offence, Elliott Sentance, who had 14 points in 15 minutes whilst Andre Arissol, Cole Gentry and Travis Charles all added 13 a piece. Loughborough’s veteran Forward Harrison Gamble had 18 to power their offence, with Justin Hedley and Joe Bielak chipping in 15 and 10 respectively.