AFTER a long pre-season training schedule, the newly formed Ayrshire Tornadoes took to the floor last Wednesday evening to begin their BA Division 1 campaign away to the newly=promoted St Mirren Buddiese.

The hosts began well and had six scorers on the sheet during the period.

Offensively, Tornadoes were executing their half-court game fairly well with Sam Jack and Hamish Forsythe hitting some key shots and making some strong moves to the basket. Colin Gribben came off the bench and gave the away side a much needed boost during the period. He racked up eight oints to give Tornadoes a slender 20-10 lead at the end of the first period.

Buddies came out firing at the start of the second period/.They had seven different scorers on the sheet during the quarter and held Tornadoes to only 14 points. However. Sam Jack nailed two long-range three-point baskets for Tornadoes, who trailed 41-34 at half-time.

Tornadoes had a better third period. Craig Moffat found his range during the quarter, hitting all of his seven points in a short burst to give them the momentum.

Guard Robb Loughlin provided good leadership throughout the period, chipping in with five points as Tornadoes closed the gap to 56-53 going into the final stanza.

They fell 14 points very early on.

However Forsythe led the comeback and saved his best basketball of the match,, racking up 12 of his game-high 19 points during the fourth period alone, including a huge three-point basket to give Tornadoes a 72-74 lead with under a minute remaining.

A subsequent foul from Buddies sent Daniel Ghamgosar to the line, where he showed nerves of steel to make both free-throws, sealing a hard fought 72-76 win.