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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. —

It wasn’t the outcome the Island Storm was looking for, but there were moral victories to be taken from the first game of the National Basketball League of Canada regular season.

The Storm, playing with a mere two days of practice, lost 120-112 to the defending league champion Moncton Magic.

“I’m really proud of the guys for coming in and battling like they did. I thought we played very hard,” Storm head coach Tim Kendrick said.

He was particular pleased with the performance of his leadership group of Alex Campbell, Johnathan Loyd and Robbie Robinson – the lone holdovers from last year’s squad. Campbell and Robinson led the team in scoring while Loyd was his steady self, dishing out seven assists, including one where the former wide receiver at Oregon looked more like a quarterback, and not turning the ball over once while stealing it from the opposition four times.

The Island Storm played its first game of the National Basketball League of Canada regular season Thursday at the Eastlink Centre. From left are Johnathan Loyd, Nathaniel Wright, Antwon Lillard and Robbie Robinson.

“It goes beyond even their play,” Kendrick said. “They’re not going to take anything less than a best effort and best attitude from everybody.”

The Storm led 37-36 after the first quarter but trailed 69-56 at the half and 90-78 heading to the fourth quarter.

The Storm won three of the four quarters but was outscored 33-19 in the second quarter. The Magic took a 52-51 lead with 5:08 left in the first half and never trailed again, outscoring the home side 17-5 heading into the break.

“From that point on, we were always playing from behind and that certainly makes it tough,” Kendrick said. “That’s a veteran team. They won together. They’re tough. They played well and they took it to us in that quarter.”

There were some things the Storm needs to tighten up. One area was leaving sharpshooters Corey Allmond and Jason Calliste open from beyond the arc. Allmond went 9-for-14 from the three-point territory and only had two shots inside the arc while Calliste went 7-for-8 from downtown and 0-for-1 on his two-point shots.

“They have a couple of guys that are great shooters,” Kendrick said.

“If they make two in a row, they’re liable to make eight in a row. We’ll certainly get into the drawing board and correct some things defensively.”

Campbell said there were many positives to take from the contest as it looks to build a contender during a 40-game regular season.

Corey Allmond was hot from downtown Thursday at the Eastlink Centre.

“With everything that was going on prior to our home opener, I’m just proud that the guys came out and worked hard,” he said.

“Even when we down 16 during the game everyone was still positive and we were able to will ourselves back.”

Campbell said he likes what he sees from the roster, despite only being together for a couple of days.

“I think our potential is through the roof," he said.

"We are young and we’re kind of small, but that's kind of coach’s formula – run ’n gun.”

Campbell said the first quarter performance showed a glimpse of the explosive offensive they possess.

“As long as that ball is moving and we’re running and gunning than we should look forward to a lot of 40-point quarters.”

Kendrick said youngsters like Abrian Edwards, Antwon Lillard, Jailan Haslem and Marcus Lewis all had good stretches in their debuts.

The team started the week with 13 players but released Steven Mallory and Funsho Dimeji and will go with 11 players.

The Storm hosts the Halifax Hurricanes Saturday at 7 p.m.

Highlight reel

A look at Thursday’s National Basketball League of Canada opener between the host Island Storm and visiting Moncton Magic.

Scores by the quarter

Magic 36 33 21 30 — 120

Storm 37 19 22 34 — 112

Leading scorers

Moncton Magic forward Billy White hangs in the air before taking a shot over Island Storm teammates Antwon Lillard and Nathaniel Wright during National Basketball League of Canada action Thursday in Charlottetown.

Magic – Corey Allmond 27, Billy White 22, Jason Calliste 21 and Ronald Delph 20.

Storm – Alex Campbell 25, Robbie Robinson 24 and Nathaniel Wright 21.

Top rebounders

Magic – Billy White 10, Ronald Delph 9 and Jeremiah Mordi 9.

Storm – Robbie Robinson 9 and Alex Campbell 8.

Most assists

Magic – Maurice Jones Sr. 5.

Storm – Johnathan Loyd 7 and Keith Shamburger 6.

Steals leaders

Magic – Wayne McCullough 2.

Storm – Johnathan Loyd 4.

Team shooting percentages

Field goals

Magic – 48 (44-for-91).

Storm – 53 (45-for-86).

Three-point shots

Magic – 58 (21-for-36).

Storm – 40 (12-for-30).

Free throws

Magic – 79 (11-for-14).

Storm – 59 (10-for-17).

Attendance – 1,410.