The Hornets shot 29 per cent from the field on their way to a 95-74 loss to the McKinnon Cougars in their Big V basketball league match.

The loss ends the Hornets' 14-game winning streak and was further compounded by an injury to point guard Cam Bruce who will be fighting against time to be ready for the playoffs.

Bruce was injured in the opening minutes after an awkward collision with a Cougars player. He left the court in discomfort and went straight to hospital for tests before returning to watch the final minutes.

Bruce said he had a suspected fractured clavicle.

"They told me it is probably fractured," Bruce said.

"I will need to have an x-ray early this week. If it is fractured they will probably pin it together to help it mend quicker."

Hornets coach Barry McTaggart said he would not be too concerned about the loss.

"I think we have been building towards this loss for a few matches," McTaggart said.

"I was concerned before the game about how lax everyone was but the guys have played heavy minutes over the past few matches and tonight it showed."

The Hornets were also without star guard Liam Norton, who had the flu, but McTaggart refused to blame his absence for the loss.

"Liam called me in the morning and he sounded terrible, McTaggart said.

"He had been hit by a bad flu but should be right for next weekend."

The Cougars came out smoking hot in the opening term and raced to a 10-0 lead.

They never relinquished their lead and finished the match shooting 41 per cent from the three-point line.

Cougars guard Michael Yialas dominated the Hornets, shooting seven three pointers on his way to a season-high 36 points.

Cougars big man Wes Fischer had 15 points while former Hornet Ben New pulled down 19 rebounds.

McTaggart said the Cougars hot shooting had been the difference.

"They shot well but we didn't play very good defence and let them get open shots," McTaggart said.

"They will take some confidence from this result and they have beaten us twice this season.

"But it will be a completely different ball game when the playoffs start."

Hornets captain Tim Pickert led the Hornets with 28 points while Marcus Wright added 17 points and six steals.

McTaggart said the Hornets would benefit from playing teenagers Alex Norton and Danny Kennedy, who received extra court time late in the match.

"This loss will be all the motivation our guys need to get ready for the playoffs," McTaggart said.

"It was also important to get the young boys on the court because we need to have them qualified for the finals and they have to get out on the court to do it."