Sports
National Basketball League: Police pip Golden Gate in thriller, Times beat Kirtipur
Nepal Police Club made the most their three recruits from Bangladesh national team to edge defending champions Golden Gate International Club 79-70 for their second victory in the Nepal Basketball League on Monday.Sports Bureau
Nepal Police Club made the most their three recruits from Bangladesh national team to edge defending champions Golden Gate International Club 79-70 for their second victory in the Nepal Basketball League on Monday.
The Police team roped in Shawn Chowdhury, Mohammad Akash and Shahinur Rahman Sajib and they proved worthy additions as the trio combined for a majority of rebounds, both offensive and defensive, to condemn Golden Gate to their third defeat in the double round robin league tournament. They had previously lost to title contenders Times International Club and Tribhuvan Army Club.
Times currently lead the table with 10 points from five straight victories and Army trail them by two points with one match left in hand. Golden Gate (seven) are third after five matches ahead of NPC (six) who have played one game less. Times and Army are the only unbeaten sides in the league so far.
In an intense game, Golden Gate took a slim one-point lead over NPC (16-15) in the first quarter but hit back in the second leading 17-13 as the teams headed into the third quarter with just three points separating them. Golden Gate led the third quarter 26-21 for an overall two-point cushion at 55-53.
A flurry of two-pointers from Manish Rajopadhyaya in the opening minutes of the final quarter handed Golden Gate a six-point lead. The game then swung at both sides before NPC sealed the game with 44 seconds remaining at 74-69. Golden Gate were themselves to blame for the defeat as they missed quite a few free throws in closing stages.
Bikash Gurung of NPC was the man-of-the-match for his 23 points, 15 rebounds and one block. It was his second consecutive man-of-the-match performance having previously led NPC to a 78-70 victory over South Siders Basketball Club.
In the early game, Times made it five in a row defeating Kirtipur Basketball Team 66-58 after Manish KC netted 18 points, took nine rebounds and made two steals. Kirtipur have now gone five straight matches without a victory. They, however, gave a tough challenge to Monday’s opponents at their home court where they opened with a 14-13 lead in the first quarter.
Times gained control in the game leading the second quarter 16-9 and another 20-17 advantage in the third quarter handed them a nine-point lead. Kirtipur did lead the final quarter 18-17 but it was not yet enough to open their account in the tournament.
Army will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory when they will host Royal Basketball Club at home in Bhadrakali in a morning match. Siders will meet Budhanilkantha Municipality Basketball Club at the St Xavier’s College court in the evening on Tuesday.