Himalayan Hounds swept aside Xavier International College 64-59 in their away match in Kalopul to remain in third place of the Kwiks Basketball League on Tuesday.

Player-of-the-match Bijay Burja and Saurav Shrestha netted 17 points each as Hounds registered their third victory in the tournament. They now have nine points from six matches and trail second-placed Kirtipur Basketball Team on score difference. Unbeaten Kirtipur, however, have played three matches less. Tribhuvan Army Club have 15 points from five consecutive victories.

It was the home team Xavier who went ahead in the game building a 17-13 lead in the first quarter. But Hounds hit back in the second scoring 14 points and stopping Xavier for seven to go into the second half with a three point lead. Xavier kept the game alive with a slim one-point (17-16) lead in the third quarter as Hounds were just ahead by two points.

But they managed to hold on to their lead scoring 21 to that of 18 from their opponents. Burja also had two assists and as many rebounds in his game and rolled in three three-pointers. Manish KC contributed nine points. Ajay Kushwaha was the star performer for the hosts scoring a whooping 29 with three three-pointers. He also had 11 rebounds. Anish Magar netted 14 points and Rakesh Shrestha had eight rebounds.

In an evening game at Bishalnagar, Golden Gate International College (GGIC) were condemned to yet another defeat after Bishal Milan Kendra (BMK) stunned them 70-63. While BMK registered their second victory in four matches, GGIC lost their third.

The hosts went ahead in the first quarter 22-16 and stretched it to seven points scoring 14 to that of 13 from GGIC. The visitors fought back in the third quarter leading it by 19-14 as the match headed into the decider with just a two-point difference. BMK went neck to neck in the final quarter which they won 20-19.

Sandesh Tamang was the player-of-the-match for BMK, starring with 23 points that feature two three-pointers. He also had six assists and seven steals. Prayush Shrestha, Bikash Gurung and Bibek Shrestha netted 13 points apiece. Bibek also took 10 rebounds, while Prayush and Gurung had eight each. Bikram Dangol scored 21 points with three three-pointers before going out for five fouls. Anish Shahi Thakuri had 18 rebounds for GGIC.

On Wednesday, Team Budanilkantha Municipality will host BMK in Golfutaar and South Siders Basketball Club will welcome GGIC in a night game in St Xavier’s College.