Guyana defeated Suriname 77-62 in a senior men’s international basketball friendly on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Shen Webster, the event’s eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP), top scored for the victor with 21 points, with Nikkoloi Smith the next best scorer with 18 points. Shelroy Thomas chipped in with nine points.
For the visitors, Michiel Ton-A-Tsien amassed figures of 17 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals, while Eorrin De Rambne recorded 12 points and eight rebounds, and Archinio Proido netted 11 points.
The first quarter ended favourably for the visitors, as they held a marginal 20-16 advantage at its conclusion. The lead then grew in the second stanza, as Suriname scored 21 points while restricting Guyana to 17 points to enter the halftime interval ahead at 41-33.
However, the second half comeback would commence in the pivotal third period, as Guyana outscored Suriname 17-12 to enter the final stanza trailing 50-53. The result was then sealed in the final quarter as Guyana outshot Suriname 27 to 9.
With the win, Guyana walked away with the Jason Khan Championship, after the accolade was named after the late basketball stalwart and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Warrant Officer who tragically passed away alongside four other service members in a helicopter accident 10 days prior.
Meanwhile, Webster was adjudged the fixture’s most valuable player. Prior to the aforementioned contest, the Nets defeated the Eagles 61-58 in an exhibition encounter.
