LANCASHIRE Spinners picked up a narrow win in their final home game of the regular season.

A packed crowd was on hand at the Sport For All Centre in Whitefield to see the 89-86 victory over Tees Valley Mohawks.

Early on, the visitors showed no fatigue from their trip from the North East and built a nine-point lead after the first quarter as Spinners were taken by surprise.

Adam Oldham started the scoring for the home team which sparked a flurry of baskets from captain Conor Porter and Joe Swindells. Nathan Schall then brought the crowd to their feet with two ferocious dunks.

Jaxon Wroe also hit a couple of back-to-back three-point shots and the Spinners had control going into half time, leading 50-41.

Wroe and Swindells then hit from three-point range to extend the lead to 20 as the teams traded baskets with Spinners going into the final quarter leading 77-59 with the game seemingly in the bag.

The visitors had other plans and led by former British Basketball League legend Charles Smith, they fought back.

With five minutes remaining and down by 12, the visitors pressed and forced turnovers as Spinners failed to hit the basket.

With the lead now just 87-83 the atmosphere was tense and nervous until a twisting shot under pressure by Adam Oldham extended the advantage to six.

Mohawks hit a three-pointer to make things interesting but Spinners just about held on.

“There was a lot of good, and a lot of not-so-good from us in this game,” said head coach Mbongéni Greg Mpofu.

“I thought we did a good job early on of maintaining our composure and following the game plan, in the face of some consistent Tees Valley shooting.

“They made some tough shots, but they were all contested, so there was no reason to panic.

“We hit our stride in the middle quarters, and played Spinners basketball, and were firmly in control against a team that hadn’t lost in the calendar year.

“We do, however, have to do a much better job of maintaining our focus, especially as we head into the post-season, and close games out with discipline.

“That being said, the team deserves credit for completing a season unbeaten at home.

“That sends a message to everyone that potentially has to travel to Whitefield during the play-offs that we’re a tough outfit on our floor.”

The Spinners sit top of the National League Division Three North, the fourth tier of British basketball, with the play-offs on the horizon.

They head to Myerscough College, near Preston, for this Sunday’s fixture.