Coventry Crusaders played in Southampton with a final score of 84 - 82 to Solent Stars.

Crusaders were led by the resurgence of Matt Donaldson with 24 points and an enormous amount of offensive rebounds, which kept the Crusaders in the game, leading all scorers at half time.

After a late surge by Derrick Pope in the second half, the Crusaders rode on the back of Derrick and Marvin Livingston to put the game level with a minute to go before the buzzer.

The game was an exact replica of the last time the Solent Stars and Bupa Crusaders met in the National Trophy quarter final in Southampton.

The scores all even with a small amount of time left, and a three point attempt to win the game in the dying seconds with Solent the winners both times.

It was a bittersweet experience to play so well against one of the best, if not the most experienced team in the league, and to come within two points of winning.

Chris Harper led all scores with 27 points as he continually sliced through the Crusaders defense and created a number of problems for them. He was helped by Colin Irish with another steady, powerful game with 25 points.

Crusaders had a hard time matching up with Panji Grainger who was missing last time the two sides met, and he contributed 18 points for the Stars.

Crusaders Coach Dip Donaldson was disappointed to lose, because losing is not what you plan to do, but the Crusaders did play through a tough character test on an away court and it was good to see Marvin Livingston coming in off the bench with 10 points to give Crusaders an opportunity to be in the driver's seat.

Coach Donaldson continued to rotate the bench freely in the first half, playing all ten players, and all the players made a positive contribution and played well. That is the strength of the Crusaders team - all ten players are able to contribute.

It is the first time all year that Dip Donaldson has played in a game, due to the back problems from which he has been suffering. This gives the Crusaders an added weapon to their arsenal with the added experience of a veteran basketball player.

The Crusaders defense still needs to be intensified. Although the Stars were held to 84 points, at times they had uncontested shots. Over the next weeks Crusaders will be focusing more on defense now that their offense is in good form again.

"I felt if we were a bit more patient during the times we had the lead we would have done better. It is always difficult to play down there with the crowd behind them and everything in their favour. It is difficult when you don't have the home crowd behind you.

"Character tests have been passed now, with numerous amounts of away games, so now you will see the advantage we will have with the many home games we have to finish the season with,"

said player / coach Dip Donaldson.
 

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