SOLENT Stars' need for an injection of overseas blood was underlined in the weekend's 83-76 friendly defeat by Oxford Devils at Fleming Park.

Although the scoreline was a marked improvement on last season's 49-point mauling, it was the Stars trialists that bailed them out of a potentially deep hole.

Using a starting five of young English players from last season, Solent were trailing 15-5 by the sixth minute and it was only when the trialists arrived that they started to stem the tide.

Local lad Mark Jackson, an ex-Star who was with Basketball League outfit Thames Valley last season, bounced straight into the action with two three-pointers and was ably assisted by the rebounding skills of Californian Ryan Nolan.

But the game was effectively lost in the second period when coach Mark Scott - who opted not to play himself - again gave the youngsters extended court time and watched his side slip 40-22 into arrears.

The introduction of more experience paid dividends after the break as Solent fought back to lead briefly, 58-56, following a Trevor Donaldson three-pointer, but Oxford pulled away again in an exciting last quarter despite the hard-working efforts of players like Chris Sheldrick and Dimitry La Croix.

Jackson wound up as Solent's top scorer with 23 points but it remains to be seen if he can be persuaded to rejoin the Fleming Park ranks. Stars director Jim Rumsey said: "On this performance, he would be a great asset to the squad."

Last year's player-of-the-season, Toby Tripalin, is still doubtful of returning and fellow American Chris Harper has left to join Coventry Crusaders.

Solent scorers: Mark Jackson 23, Ryan Nolan 16, Alan Cunningham 11, Chris Sheldrick 6, Dimitry La Croix 5, Nick Oharabe 5, Duane Laight 4, Trevor Donaldson 3, Vernon Marshall