Bury were looking to bounce back from a double OT loss to the Tropics with a win at an improved and re-named Oxford team.  However things didn't get off to a good start when the kit didn't arrive until 5 mins before tip off for the depleted squad.

Oxford came out firing with five threes in the first quarter.  Bury failed to utilise their zone defence leaving gaps that the Oxford team found easy to penetrate and dish for easy baskets.

The home side had a 9 point lead after the first and began the second with a 7 to 2 run, their energy and a defensive presence by K. Cieplik blocking everything that came inside the key, enabled Oxford to hold a comfortable 13 point half time lead.

Bury struggled to get out of second gear, although Alan Hall managed some tough shots to keep Bury within touching distance.  Defensively, Bury failed to stop the fast moving offense and gave up too many easy points.  Bury pulled within 6 in the third then collapsed as Oxford scored 11 straight and entered the final quarter leading by 13.

Somehow Bury finally woke up and cut the defcit to 1 in a four minute span by steals and baskets by Tom Hope and Alan Hall adding to hit 41 point haul.  However, Oxford retaliated with good shot selection and ended up winners 103 - 93.

Bury face an uphill struggle if they are to hold onto their crown and need to step up defensively and put out a full squad.  Their 2 and 2 record is their worse start to the season for about 5 years.