ALEX Roberts paced Spinners with 20 points in a road win over Manchester Magic in the National Trophy.

The Bury-based basketball club marched into the Amaechi Centre and stole a 79-69 victory as all five starters finished in double-digits scoring, WRITES ALLEN GUNN.

The 17-year-old guard, making his official debut, hit four three-pointers including three after halftime.

He said, “I came into the game with an open mind. I just wanted to play a good game and get the team involved.”

Spinners opened on a 15-5 run forcing Magic coach Paul Middleton to call a timeout four and a half minutes into the game.

Despite the regroup, his squad only hit two more field goals on 4-for-19 shooting in the first quarter.

Spinners couldn't take full advantage and cooled off over the second 10 minutes allowing the hosts to edge in front on a layup by Lee Goldsbrough.

The forward was making his return to the Amaechi-based side and finished with five points and eight rebounds.

“I expected a lot more [from him] if I’m honest. I feel like he wasn’t aggressive enough with the ball in his hands,” Middleton said.

Middleton’s team led by two at the half but Roberts tied the game on the first possession of the third period.

The lead then changed hands five times before Manchester dug Spinners into their largest deficit of the game at seven points.

Lancashire responded by closing the final three minutes on a 6-1 run to trail 54-53 heading into the final quarter.

“The guys were locked in from the minute we stepped into the gym,” said Spinners coach Neal Hopkins, “And my biggest fear was that when we needed to make the adjustments in a time like that we wouldn't do it. But they demonstrated they can.”

Former Magic guard Aitor Estrada and Roberts knocked down consecutive threes to go ahead 59-54 whilst holding Magic scoreless for a three-minute stretch.

Alvaro Alarcon Lizaur converted a three to close the gap to 59-57 but that was the closest Magic would get.

Mark Rangeley, who scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half before picking up a third foul, pushed the lead out to six with just over five minutes left.

Forward Mike Bernard was big down the stretch making two momentum-building plays and his three-point basket at 1:52 iced the game.

Despite being outrebounded 58-34 – and 27-9 on the offensive glass – Spinners limited Magic to just 17 second chance points.

Coach Middleton added, “It was always going to be a close game, there’s no doubt about that.

“They deserved it, they played better than we did and forced us into some terrible decisions. 20 turnovers? We deserved to lose the game on that alone.”

Simon Anumba and captain Ryan Lohfink led Manchester with 16 and 15 points respectively.

Former Spinner Josh Houghton finished with four points in the loss.

Spinners return to the court on Saturday against Team Northumbria at Castle Leisure Centre, tip off at 5.45pm with tickets £5.