Golden Gate International College (GGIC) climbed to the second position of the Kwiks Basketball League with a 66-56 victory over Kirtipur Basketball Team on Thursday.

Rajiv Joshi played a key role in GGIC’s important away victory as the forward dropped in 20 points with two 3-pointers and took 10 rebounds. GGIC, who made a slow start in the tournament, now have five victories from nine games and leapfrogged Bishal Milan Kendra (BMK) on score difference after tying on 15 points. BMK, however, have played two matches less.

Kirtipur, unbeaten in the first four games, have now gone on to lose two consecutive matches at home and stay at fourth with 12 points. They are tied on points with Himalayan Hounds but stay ahead on score difference. Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) are hold firm at the top of the table with seven consecutive wins.

In a low scoring game at the Kirtipur basketball court, GGIC began with a four-point (13-9) lead. They stretched it to five in a competitive second period where GGIC scored 21 and Kirtipur netted 20 points. But the visitors raced away in the game with a 13-point lead heading into the final quarter. Kirtipur did manage to get the better of GGIC in the decider but a 14-11 lead was not enough for them to avert the defeat.

Anish Shahi Thakuri continued to play second fiddle in GGIC win as he scored 16 points and took 13 rebounds. Manish Raj Rajopadhyaya netted 13 points and had 10 rebounds. Diveswhor Saha was the standout performer for Kirtipur scoring 12 points and taking nine rebounds. Samir Niroula also scored 12 points.

In a morning match at the Shankar Dev College on Friday, Hounds will welcome South Siders Basketball Club who have just one win to their credit. Later in the day, Xavier International College will host Team Budanilkantha (TBM) Municipality. Xavier also have three points but TBM have six.