A bright start soon dissipated as Oaklands Wolves lost 76-47 at home to Manchester Mystics in the WBBL.
The hosts were in touch at half-time but a surge by the Mystics at the start of the third quarter leaves Wolves just outside the play-offs.
Coach Lee Ryan said: “We needed a good start and the players delivered but at this level it only takes a small lapse and teams punish you.
“Unfortunately we dropped our level either side of the half and Manchester capitalised.”
The Wolves face a trip to Barking Abbey on Friday in what has become a must win game for both sides.
Ryan said: “We have a series of games coming up against teams around us and we have to come out with wins. That’s the only way to achieve our target of the play-offs.
“Barking have improved of late and will be desperate to get the win. We have to have to be ready for a battle and play with confidence.”
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