Guyana got off to worst possible start in their three-match Inter-Guiana Games basketball series losing to Suriname in both the boys and girls’ opening matches yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.
In the boys division, Suriname defeated the locals 74-68 to draw first blood. For the winners, Charf Elbung was the top shooter with 17 points while Dancel Leter, Bjorn Ewrjk and Enile LaRose assisted with 15, 13 and nine points respectively.
Travis Belgrave with 15 points was the top local shooter followed by a 14-point effort from Stanton Rose. Supporting with nine points was Nathan Saul.
Falling behind 16-14 at end of the first period, the home-side fought back to take the lead, outshooting the visitors 21-13 to head into halftime ahead by six points (35-29).
But thereafter the visitors took control of the contest as they out-hustled Guyana 25-13 to lead 54-48 heading into the final period.
Suriname duly held on to clinch the win with both teams scoring 20 points in the fourth period.
In the girls’ encounter, Surname trounced Guyana 69-25 to take a 1-0 lead in their best of three series.
Cyarah Kensmil top scored with 17 points while Stephanie Hubard, Mirelva Marica and Amare De Mees chipped with 10, 10 and nine points respectively.
For the hosts, Keneisha Leacock scored nine points. The contest was over heading into halftime as the Dutch nation led 32-7. Suriname built on their lead following the resumption, scoring 21 points to Guyana’s right points to lead 53-15.
Suriname then sealed the lopsided contest as they outshot the Guyanese 16-10 in the final period. The international tourney will continue today with several other disciplines at various venues.
