Two clutch free-throws by Terrence James alongside a steal with under 10 seconds remaining propelled Half Mile Bulls to a 77-73 win over Plaisance Guardians when the GABF Forbes Burnham Memorial Championship bounced off on Saturday.
With 9.3 seconds on the clock and the score locked at 75-73, James upon being sent to the free-throw line, clinically converted both attempts to push his side ahead 77-73.
The East Coast of Demerara outfit in their haste to inbound the ball,conceded an unnecessary turnover in the centre of the court, which allowed the Linden unit to run the clock out and seal the hard-fought contest and their place in the next round.
Terron Welch led the Lindeners with 19 points while James ably supported with 16 points. Chipping in with 10, nine and eight points were Michael Turner, Kevin Easton and Jason Blair respectively.
On the other side, Nikkoloi Smith recorded a monstrous effort of 39 points while the next best scorer with 16 points was Trenton Woolford. Assisting with seven and six points was Marlon Chesney and Nicholas Cassius respectively.
In the opening quarter, Plaisance Guardians took the early lead as they outscored Bulls 19-14. Smith top scored in the period with 13 points while Cassius chipped in with four points. For Bulls, Michael Turner and Dennis Niles scored five and three points respectively.
The second period saw Bulls seizing control of the fixture, netting 22 points to Guardians’ 12 points to take a 36-31 lead into the half time interval. Mark Rose and Welch top scored with six points while Terrence James assisted with four points
For Guardians, Woolford netted six points while Smith scored three points. The Lindeners would maintain their advantage in the third period as they outscored Guardians 20-19 to go into the final period ahead 56-50. James top scored with six points in the period while Easton and Blair supported with four and three points respectively. On the other side, Smith shot his way to 13 points while Woolford netted three points.
Bulls would then hold onto their lead in the final period to claim the win as they were outscored 23-22 by Guardians. Welch shot his way to seven points while James and Turner chipped in with four and three points apiece.
For Guardians, Smith recorded 10 points while Chesney, Richardson and Woolford supported with five, four and four points correspondingly.
In the second fixture, Colts defeated Linden unit Amelia’s Ward Jets by a 60-54 margin. The winner of the tourney will walk away with $100,000, winner’s medals and the championship trophy while the second place side will pocket the respective medals and accolade along with $60,000.
The third place finisher will also receive the respective trophy, medals and $40,000. Accolades will also be awarded for the Most Valuable Player, Best Uniformed Team and Most Disciplined Team.
