Team Solent Kestrels improved to 3-0 in NBL Division One with another comprehensive victory at the Solent Sports Complex.

Kestrels stormed to a 95-64 win over Team Newcastle University, writes Jack O'Keeffe.

Kestrels controlled the game against the newly-promoted side from the north east and extended their undefeated streak in all NBL competitions to 44 games.

Brendan Okoronkwo opened the scoring up with a triple for TSK before Newcastle’s American guard David Moya connected on a floater on the ensuing possession.

The hosts would quickly set about building their advantage pushing the lead to 10-2 inside four minutes.

Moya would again respond for the visitors, this time with a three of his own, however an Andre Arissol steal and coast-to-coast lay up restored an eight-point lead for Solent.

Through the mid-point of the period the sides would trade baskets, as Jonathan Lashley and Ronald Blain came off the bench and lead the charge for their teams. Kestrels in front 23-17 after one.

Newcastle momentarily trimmed the deficit to four points to open the second quarter though Jacob Cauthorn, but that would be short lived as Orlan Jackman and Arissol answered for TSK, prompting the visitors into an early timeout at 27-19 TSK.

Luke Busumbru injected some much needed spark into the game post timeout as he found his way to the hoop, whilst Elliot Dadds knocked down a triple to give the home side their largest lead of the first half at 13.

The north east side were hanging around though and they would again trim the lead to just seven points after Cauthorn continued to find scoring opportunities inside.

Kestrels would however close the half with a barrage of threes from Arissol and Dadds to ensure they held a 12-point advantage at the break.

It was back and forth to start the second half with both teams scoring at will, Jackman finding a number of easy scores for the hosts, whilst Emanuel Kabengele and Nikola Url replied for Newcastle.

A 10-0 run midway through the quarter saw TSK take their first substantial lead of the ball game at 20, capped off by a trademark Travis Charles mid-range jumper.

Jackman continued his scoring onslaught also as he knocked down a pair of free throws after a Newcastle timeout and when Ian Smith knocked down a pull up jump shot to end the third, his side were now firmly in the driving seat up 71-46.

An 8-2 run to open the final period killed any hopes of a Team Newcastle fight back as Lashley continued to dominate inside for the hosts.

Ronald Blain kept the scoreboard ticking for his side but the lead would continue to balloon after Travis Charles finished inside to put his side up 85-51. The sides exchanged a number of scores in the closing stages as the tempo of the game dropped drastically which suited TSK, as they ran out 95-64 winners.

Kestrels head coach Matt Guymon said: “Credit to Newcastle, who caused us problems in the first half as we struggled to connect from the perimeter.

"I was pleased with how we responded in the third quarter, where we were able to put the game out of reach with a number of contributions across the board."

TSK were led by Lashley, who came off the bench to score 19 points, whilst Charles and Jackman added 16 and 15 respectively in a very balanced scoring display from the hosts.

Team Newcastle’s American wing Blain led them with 20 points, with David Moya the only other player to reach double figures adding 14.

Kestrels return to action at home against Reading Rockets on Saturday.