TEAM Solent Kestrels slipped to a 86-77 defeat to Hemel Storm on Saturday at the Solent Sports Complex, in National Basketball League Division One.

Despite the loss, Kestrels still hold on to top spot in the division, after a first loss in 10 games between the two sides, writes Jack O'Keeffe.

The opening three minutes saw both sides exchange blows as former Kestrels forward, Tayo Oyefusi, got the visitors off the mark, whilst Cole Gentry and Orlan Jackman ensured the hosts would get going quickly.

Gentry and Max Richardson pushed the Kestrels’ lead to 12-5 early on as they knocked down back-to-back triples, however Greg Poleon and Taylor Johnson trimmed the deficit to two, scoring five unanswered points.

Luke Busumbru’s high flying lay-up edged TSK back up by four but it was Hemel who finished the quarter the stronger, closing the period on a 9-0 run.

Storm briefly extended their lead to 11 but Busumbru and Brendan Okoronkwo would trim the gap to eight at 33-25 to the visitors, forcing a coach Dru Spinks timeout.

Kestrels clawed their way back to within three after Gentry knocked down another three and Okoroknwo converted a pair at the line.

However, Johnson knocked down back-to-back shots from beyond the arc to restore a nine-point advantage for the visitors with three minutes left in the half.

TSK rallied and strung together a 12-4 scoring run to close the half and that ensured they only trailed by one at the break, 43-42.

It was a tense affair early on in the second half as neither side were able to take control of the game, with just 10 points scored for both teams combined in the opening five minutes.

Hemel would lead by three for long spells but it was Richardson and Gentry who scored in quick succession to edge TSK in front 52-51.

Poleon replied for Storm but Okoronkwo tied things up at 56-56, before Shaquille Lewis knocked down a three to close the period, 59-56 to Hemel.

The visitors got up five inside the first two minutes, however Busumbru found his way to the hoop to pull TSK back within three.

However, it was Storm who struck first and pushed the lead out to seven as Sam Newman scored in transition, prompting a coach Guymon timeout.

The Hemel lead grew post timeout though, as Johnson and Poleon hit back-to-back threes.

Kestrels put together a 7-0 run through Busumbru and Elliott Sentance to bring them within three.

Oyefusi pushed the lead back to six post timeout, however Jackman’s and-one served as a timely reply with less than three minutes remaining.

Poleon and Gentry traded a pair of scores but when Johnson scored on a pull up jump shot, Storm held an 82-76 advantage.

Kestrels were unable to execute post timeout and Hemel would extend the gap from the foul line. Storm running out 86-77 winners.

TSK head coach Guymon said: “Credit to Hemel, who I thought executed a game plan and had numerous players on their roster make important plays down the stretch.

“Offensively we struggled with our lowest shooting percentages of the season and we couldn’t find solutions on the night to put points on the board.”