Those were the words of Horsham Hornets coach Steve Bruce after his side was beaten by 19-points by championship favourite Melbourne University in a Big V basketball league division two match at Horsham Stadium on Saturday night.

The Wimmera Roadways Hornets lost 111-92 but were right with the Black Angels with six minutes to go.

But in the final minutes the Hornets hit the wall and were helpless to stop the Black Angels taking the lead past 20 points.

It was the Hornets' third loss to the Black Angels this season, all have been by 15 points or more.

The Hornets went into the game with only eight players and lost an in-form Damien Skurrie to an ankle injury with three minutes to go in the second quarter.

Bruce said his side had seen how well it matched up with the Black Angels when it had a full list of players.

"We would have loved to have Mitch Creek or Ben Lewis out here tonight, but that wasn't possible," he said.

"I think if we have all our guys and Lewis next time, then we will win."

Creek is doubtful to play again this season after winning an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship while Lewis could not play due to work commitments in Melbourne.

Creek was given a rousing cheer before the game by Hornets supporters.

Bruce was also angry his players had not received better protection from the referees.

"They were able to `bullock' players to the ground and nothing was called," he said.

Time and again Hornets players were felled while playing defence on the powerfully built Black Angels side.

Hornets captain Tim Pickert had his best game of the season and at times single-handedly kept his side in the match.

Pickert finished with 34 points, 19 in the first half, but it was not enough to restrain an impressive Black Angels unit who set up chance after chance for its best players.

Hornets guard Shaun Bruce battled manfully with Black Angels veteran Scott Cuffe.