Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) put their one foot in the playoffs as they registered their eighth consecutive victory in the Kwiks Basketball League crushing Himalayan Hounds 83-58 on Saturday. 

National team skipper Sadish Pradhan alone scored 33 points as the unbeaten Armymen stayed strong at the top of the table with 24 points. Golden Gate International College (GGIC), who have played two matches more than TAC, are second in the table with 18 points following a 75-59 victory over Xavier International College.

Hounds (10 games) and Bishal Milan Kendra (seven games) have 15 points each but the latter stay third on score difference.  Kirtipur Basketball Team are fifth with 12 points from six games. 

In a one-sided game at Army’s home in Bhadrakali, the departmental team took a 10-point (20-10) lead in the first quarter before stretching it to 25 points adding another 25 in the second when Hounds could only manage 15. The game was out of Hounds’ reach after Army scored 26 in the third quarter and restricted the opponents to 19. 

With 32-points deficit heading into final quarter, Hounds could hardly give a fight and they led the final period 14-12. Pradhan netted five 3-pointers in his total and took six rebounds. Binod Maharjan netted 16 points and had 15 rebounds. Manish KC top scored for Hounds with 20 points, while Saurav Shrestha tossed in 18 and Bijay Burja scored 10 points. 

In the evening match at GGIC’s court, Anish Shahi Thakuri had yet another fine outing with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Manish Rajopadhyaya took a tournament-high 22 rebounds. 

Bikram Dangol sunk in five 3-pointers in his 19 points, while Rajiv Joshi scored 15 points and took four assists. Anish Magar rolled in five 3-pointers to score 18 points for Xavier.