Tourney hosts Guyana suffered their first loss of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U16 championships losing to Suriname 64-56 yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
It was a lacklustre showing from the hosts typified 36 turnovers and poor shooting. The Guyanese shot 25.71% from the field and 41.3% from the foul line.
The inconsistency of Guyana played into the hands of the Dutch unit who claimed their first win following their opening night defeat to Jamaica.
Hero of their opening win, Jordan Alphonso led the losers with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Nigel Bowen provided capable support with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Dutch nation, Andrew Blijd was the main threat with 18 points, six rebounds and four steals. He was assisted by Keatan Weibolt who registered 13 points, eight steals and six assists.
Fresh of their 60-58 win over Aruba, the locals started the brighter of the teams as they raced to a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Guyana’s lead was maintained in the second stanza albeit marginally as the Surinamese recorded 14 points to their 13 points as the halftime interval approached with the score on 29-26.
It was from this point where the momentum changed sides as the Dutch unit scored 19 points while restricting the Guyanese to a paltry 11 points to enter the final period ahead at 45-40.
Although Guyana improved in the final stanza by recording their best offensive output of 16 points, any attempt at another comeback was extinguished as the Surinamese recorded another 19 point showing. The event will resume at the same venue today with another four matches.
