Coventry Crusaders left things too late at Worthing in their NBL Conference clash, despite coming out of their blocks well.

The Bupa Crusaders took an early nine point lead but were forced into turnover after turnover by the quick hands of the home side.

Worthing was led by the lightning quick guard, Paul Mundy-Castle with 34 points, and their American players scored 16 points and 25 points.

Coach Dip Donaldson said:

"I was disappointed with our passing during the game, and our overall ball handling. We just didn’t take care of the ball like we should,” said

"We couldn’t stop Mundy-Castle at all. He just ran circles around us, and every time we missed a shot or turned the ball over he made us pay for it.“

The Crusader were led in scores by Captain and Player of the Month Derrick Pope with 30 points, Marvin Harrison with 21 points, and Matt Collins with 20.

The high-scoring game was good for the crowd to watch, but the style of play was in favour of the home team

The Crusaders cut Thunder’s ten point lead down to a one-point lead with 46 seconds to play after two bit 3 pointers from Pope and one by Collins.

But the Worthing Thunder came back and scored after Crusaders missed an opportunity to rebound.

Crusader then got the ball with 20 seconds to go. Collins drove to the basket and found Dominic Davis wide open for a 3 pointer, but it fell short.

Donaldson fumed:

"I’m not happy with some of our performances as individuals. I am looking for more consistency from our players right now.

“We still haven’t put together two good games in a row, but I will find a solution; working harder is one of them.

“We missed the services of injured player Colin Rhooms and that really hurt us because no one stepped up to fill his role.”

The Bupa Coventry Crusaders take on Inter-Basket in London on Saturday for their final game before Christmas.

Currently they stand at 4-3 in fourth place in the Conference League, and will be eager to go into the Christmas break at 5-3.

After Christmas their first game is away to Manchester on 6 January before finally playing before a home crowd again on 13 January.

The Coventry Quality Cats will be playing at the Coventry Sports Centre this Saturday at the earlier time of 3pm.

Crusaders: Donaldson 2, Scott 6, Girbal 8, Collins 20, Harrison 21, Pope 30