Suriname basketball club De Arend (The Eagles) downed Pacesetters 64-47 when the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) International Series commenced Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.
The small viewership witnessed the Dutch assault as four scorers recorded double digits in the comfortable victory. Mitchell Zeefuik was the top shooter with 14 points.
He was assisted by Xavier Elbung, Denzel Leter and Chayf Elbung who contributed 11, 11 and 10 points respectively. Chipping in with nine points was Emile LaRose.
For Pacesetters, Sherlan Legall recorded a game-high 19 points while Stephon Gillis and Randy Richardson assisted with 11 and eight points apiece.
The first period set the tone of the fixture as the Dutch side ran out to a 14-8 advantage. The visitors’ advantage grew in the second period as they scored 13 points while holding Pacesetters to eight points to lead 27-16 at the halftime break.
Upon resumption, Pacesetters eventually found their stride, outscoring De Arend 23-17 to reduce the deficit at 44-39 heading into the final period.
However, the home side was unable to maintain their momentum during the final period. Such was the dominance of the visitors in the quarter that Pacesetters scored their first points with only 2:08s remaining in the contest compliments of a goaltending call by the official.
Ultimately, the Dutch outfit recorded 20 points in the stanza compared to the eight points by the stagnant Pacesetters offense to clinch the outcome.
In the earlier exhibition encounter, East Coast of Demerara outfit Plaisance Guardians defeated Republic Bank Nets by 83-77 while the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) U19 team defeated the Guyana U16 team 76-65. Up to press time, the final match of the tour against Colts was underway at the same venue.
