Kingston’s Basketball team are out of the running for the BUCS National Championships after a crushing defeat to defending champions London South Bank University.

Kingston were outscored 104 – 61 by a Southbank Side which featured many of the superstars who brought the National Championship to South Bank last April.

“It was a tough loss” said Michael Quamina, the club’s president: “We felt like this was our national championship and we had high expectations.” On an emotional night at London’s South Bank the “Run-and-Gun” offence which has worked so well all season failed to break down South Bank’s resolute defence: “We are usually a three-point team, a run-and-gun style team and today we didn’t do it,” said Quamina.

Kingston showed early promise taking the initial lead with a 3-pointer from Quamina, however, it proved to be their only lead of the game. Despite an impressive performance by team captain Bode Adeluola, Kingston’s inability to win rebounds cost them dearly down the stretch an they were simply outmuscled by a much bigger South Bank team.

South Bank had no answer for the elusive moves of Bode Adeluola, whose runs lit up the South Bank Arena, but Kingston failed to take advantage of good opportunities, missing three point shots and easy lay-ups, allowing South Bank to counter quickly and wear down the usually sturdy Kingston defence.

“It was a big game and I think our nerves showed” said Quamina after the game. Trailing 25 - 18 at in the second quarter, Kingston were forced to dig deep and good defensive play from anchorman Marius Poskus allowed Kingston back into the game trailing by just 5 points at one stage.

But the South Bank superstars began to flex their muscles in the second half. Clever play from South Bank’s Papa Demba Kasse and Paul Mundy-Castle, both from the National Championship winning side of last season, stretched Kingston’s tired defence and they led 55 – 36 at the half.

Paul Mundy-Castle, the South Bank Captain and former Kingston University Student said: “Kingston gave us a good match. We knew they were a division below us and this was their FA Cup.”

Kingston will look to put the loss behind them as they move forward into crucial playoff games against Oxford on the 28th and Southampton the following week. Victory will secure the team promotion to the BUCS Premier Division.