Sports
BMK in pole position for playoffs
Bishal Milan Kendra (BMK) remained in pole position to enter the playoffs of the Kwiks Basketball League with a 68-57 victory over Kirtipur Basketball Team on Tuesday.Bishal Milan Kendra (BMK) remained in pole position to enter the playoffs of the Kwiks Basketball League with a 68-57 victory over Kirtipur Basketball Team on Tuesday.
In the home match at the Bishalnagar basketball court, Bibek Shrestha scored 20 points and took 12 rebounds as BMK won seventh game out of nine. They stay in third place, trailing Golden Gate International College (GGIC), who have played 11 games, on score difference. Tribhuvan Army Club lead the standings with 24 points from eight straight victories.
BMK led the first quarter 22-15 and stretched it to 10 points adding another 13 in the second when the visitors netted 10. The hosts made the game even difficult for Kirtipur after they went into the decider with a healthy 13-point lead taking the third quarter 19-16. Kirtipur did fight in the final quarter but a 16-14 lead did not change the complexion of the game.
Kirtipur had started the tournament with four consecutive victories but now have lost three matches in a row. They stay in fifth with 12 points. Himalayan Hounds are fourth following a comprehensive 88-57 victory over Xavier International College in the morning match.
At the Shankar Dev Campus court, Manish KC contributed with 20 points and 14 rebounds as Hounds won their sixth game. They have 18 points from 11 games. Xavier are second from the bottom with six points from 11 matches. South Siders Basketball Club are last in the eight-team double round robin league with three points from eight games.
Hounds led the first quarter 18-14 but Xavier made it a one-shot game leading the second period 15-12. The hosts dominated in the next two quarters to leave the visitors stunned. Hounds scored 29 points in the third quarter and after restricting Xavier to 10, they headed into the final period with a 20-point cushion. Xavier gave their best in the final quarter scoring 18 points but Hounds sunk in another 29 to rout their opponents by a huge margin. Saurav Shrestha also scored 19 points, while Mabindra Bhandari (14) and Bijay Burja (13) were other best contributors. Anish Magar scored 21 points and took eight rebounds for Xavier and Ajay Kushwaha chipped in 16 points.
On Wednesday, Team Budanilkantha Municipality will take on Armymen at their home court in Golfutar and South Siders will meet Kirtipur at the St Xavier’s College court in Maitighar.