DESPITE a strong offensive performance, Spinners coach Neal Hopkins questioned his team’s defensive efforts, write Allen Gunn.

Mark Rangeley scored a season-high 21 points to help the Bury-based basketball club advance to the third round of the National Cup after a 102-92 victory over Liverpool.

Spinners (6-1, 0-1 NBL1) had to shake off a late fourth quarter surge from Liverpool who came within two points of tying the game.

Jack Hudson – who had 30 points – hit six three-pointers in the loss.

“We can’t get into this habit of trying to beat teams on the offensive end,” said Hopkins. “We need to get back to the basics.”

Holding a 57-51 halftime advantage, Spinners saw their largest lead of 11-points cut to eight by the end of the third quarter.

“We all know we can score,” Rangeley said. “We just need to lock into our defence and trust it.”

Liverpool began the final period on a 6-0 run making it a one-possession game but an ill-timed turnover sparked an 8-2 Spinners’ run, which restored their double-digit lead, 94-84.

Aitor Estrada contributed all 17 of his points in the first half, connecting of five-of-seven of his three-point attempts.

Spinners return to Castle Leisure Centre to face Northumbria on October 24.