Basketball: Defence proves pivotal as Kings hit Saints

A WEEK ahead of St Valentine's Day, Edinburgh Kings massacred St Mirren 80-53 at Portobello High School to move another step closer to retaining their Scottish League title.

Kings owed their success, which puts them three wins clear of Saints and two clear of Falkirk Fury, to their stout defence.

Although the opening exchanges were tight, they took the first quarter 22-17 and the second 17-13 for a 39-30 half-time lead and never needed to call on injured Scottish international centre Si Flockhart, although the big man suited up.

"A big factor was the way we shut down danger man Nic Collins, who only scored eight points," said coach Danny Costello.

The third quarter, which Kings took 21-11, proved decisive and they moved into a 60-41 lead which this focussed group were never going to let slip.

Edgars Rekis had another fine all-round game, top-scoring with 16, Mike Kirkpatrick and Paddy Campbell adding 13 each, Laurie Costello 12 and Liam McCabe ten.

Kings will have to stay focussed when they visit Musselburgh on Friday night to play East Lothian Peregrines who again proved they are capable of upsetting any team in the league if only they can get the job done in the final quarter.

Peregrines were tied 59-59 with Falkirk Fury at the end of the third at the weekend but went down 85-70.