Edinburgh Rocks' run of humiliating defeats continued last night with a fifth reverse in six games to date. Even with his two new signings - Jo-Jo Chambers and Rock Winston - installed in the starting line-up, Rocks coach Greg Lockridge witnessed a one-sided affair in which the Southern Conference outfit trailed only briefly as their guests failed miserably to deliver the goods, losing 83-60.

The hometown Lions racked up the first five points of the encounter and although Ted Berry inspired Edinburgh to a productive spell during which they briefly went two points ahead, the still-glaring deficiencies of the Meadowbank outfit quickly proved their downfall.

Milton Keynes closed the first quarter by scoring nine points without reply and they embarked on a further 10-0 burst in the second period, during which Lockridge's men could only add a miserable 5 points. The misery was compounded by a foot injury to Berry, who hobbled off before the half-time interval and made only a fleeting return upon the re-start.

Without either a point guard or a genuine centre, Edinburgh were undermined, the experience of Milton Keynes' player-coach Nigel Lloyd and his team-mate Jason Siemon a key factor as the hosts capitalised upon the Rocks' repeated turnovers.

Winston did sound a positive note on his debut, firing 14 points, Chambers adding 12, and the duo combined to help to minimise their new side's blushes, Edinburgh firing the final eleven points of a contest which they had long since bowed out of.

"Offensively we found some rhythm in the second half," stated Lockridge. "We have a lot of work to do on the defensive end but it's a long season."

Andrew Alleyne hit a game-best 20 points for the Lions, Merrill Brunson adding 19.