Ipswich 64 Brixton Topcats 68 Ipswich returned to action on their home court following the Christmas and New Year break with a crucial game that saw both teams vying for second position in the division.
The visitors, Brixton Topcats, already held that position and were looking to consolidate it, whilst Ipswich were looking to break into the top two.
The game began well for Ipswich. As is often the case, captain Tom Sadler hit a big three point shot very early on to get things going, and with both teams executing well on offence, the early exchanges between the teams were very evenly-matched.
Centre Leigh Greenan wrapped up a three-point-play, and with six minutes of the first period played, Ipswich were leading a very defensive-orientated game 11-9.
Ipswich introduced swing-man Luke Mascall-Wright, and he combined well with Dylan Costelloe at the guard position to help push Ipswich out to a 16-11 lead.
However, Brixton were proving to be stronger rebounders than the home team, and with Ipswich hitting a patch where they were struggling to execute their offence, Brixton then crept back and ended the first quarter leading 17-16.
The second period began, and Ipswich still seemed to be struggling to pull themselves out of the sluggish form that they ended the first quarter in.
After two minutes, Brixton led 20-18, but then Ipswich sprang to life and played what would ultimately be their best period of basketball of the entire game.
The whole team seemed to suddenly loosen up, and with Sadler hitting three big baskets in quick succession, along with guard Aaron Moseley who took over the game for the second quarter, Ipswich produced a sublime period of play which saw them go from behind by two points, to a 37-29 lead. They closed the half leading 39-31.
Despite starting the third quarter in the same vein, and extending their lead to 45-31 with Moseley continuing to lead the charge, Ipswich then hit an inconsistent patch at exactly the time they needed to be solid and confident.
Brixton worked their way back into the game with a 6-0 run that forced Ipswich to take a time-out in an effort to stem the flow, but it did not have the desired effect.
Even with crowd favourite Tendai Simbai being introduced, Ipswich did not seem to be able to generate any energy, and they barely clung to their lead, ending the third period 51-48 up.
The final period began, and Brixton immediately hit a big three pointer to tie the game at 51-51.
The game then see-sawed briefly as neither team seemed to be able to take full control.
Ipswich took a momentary lead with Sadler hitting another trademark three-pointer to push Ipswich ahead 57-56.
Undeterred, Brixton pushed out to a 60-57 lead, and Ipswich were struggling to find an answer with their stuttering offence. With just over a minute to go Brixton led 64-59, and despite a brief fightback that saw them get within two points, Ipswich fell to a four-point defeat.
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