National team skipper Sadina Shrestha scored 10 of her 18 points in the final quarter to lead Samriddhi Gorillas to a thrilling 49-46 victory over Nepal Police Club in the Women's Nepal Basketball League on Saturday.

In the tournament opener at the Times International College, the neutral venue for women's league games, Shrestha sunk Police in the last four minutes where she netted nine. After overcoming nine-point deficit in the opening period of the first quarter, Gorillas trailed NPC almost throughout the game before Shrestha changed the course of the game.

Shrestha sunk in two back-to-back two-pointer to hand Gorillas a slim one-point (42-41) lead with 3:48 remaining in the final quarter. A three-pointer from Anusha Malla snatched back the lead for NPC at 44-42 but Shrestha's two tied the game with 1:20 remaining. Neha Chaudhary's two put NPC ahead one more time with 1:04 left.

With 23 seconds left on the clock, Shrestha drew a foul and converted one of her two free shots making it a one-point game. Soni Waiba Tamang sunk in two with 18 seconds left to put Gorillas 47-46 ahead. Shrestha drew a foul with four seconds left and sealed the victory converting both her free throws. Player-of-the-match Shrestha also had seven rebounds and three steals.

The match started with a low scoring first quarter where NPC took a 6-5 lead. Two consecutive 3-pointers and another two from Alisha Malla had put the departmental side ahead by nine points at 14-5. But Gorillas fought back and a three from Muna Maharjan made it a one-point game at 18-17 with one minute remaining.

Couple of two-pointers from Chaudhary and another from Anusha Malla helped NPC go 24-17 ahead in the second half. Gorillas managed to take a 14-11 lead in the third quarter as NPC went into the decider with a 35-31 lead. Anusha scored 16 points in the match, while Chaudhary scored 10 and had 12 rebounds.

The second match scheduled in the evening between ISO Kites and Saipal Academy had to be called off due to poor weather. On Sunday, Saipal will take on NPC and Gorillas will take on ISO Kites. Only the top two finishers after the round robin league will make it to the final.

Army close in on top spot

LALITPUR: Skipper Robin Khatri netted 33 points as Tribhuvan Army Club moved a step ahead in finish at the top of the men's Nepal Basketball League with a comprehensive 97-85 victory away to Royal Basketball Club on Saturday. Army are currently at the second spot of the eight-team table with 25 points from 13 games.

The departmental side trail leaders Times, who have already completed the double round robin league, with one point. A victory away to Kirtipur Basketball Team in their last match on Tuesday will put Army at the top of the table with just one loss in 14 league games. Times had lost two.

Minnows Royal were the surprise leaders at their home court in Sanogaun establish a 30-25 cushion in the first quarter. Army evened the game after they scored 22 points in the second quarter and stopped Royal on 17. They then built a huge 16-point lead in the third quarter scoring 28 to 16 of their opponents. The fourth quarter was tied on 22-22.