Tribhuvan Army Club claimed their seventh victory in the Nepal Basketball League defeating Budhanilkantha Municipality Basketball Club 79-64 on Thursday.

In an away game in Golfutar, Ashish Basnet scored 23 points for Army to shrug off the absence of skipper Robin Khatri who is in a three-match disciplinary suspension. Meanwhile, the match between title contenders Times International College and defending champions Golden Gate International Club had to be postponed with 5:10 remaining in the final quarter.

Times were heading towards yet another victory at 72-44 before rain arrived and washed the remainder of the game at their home court in Charkhal. Unbeaten Times have so far won seven consecutive games, while holders Golden Gate have three wins and as many defeats from six games. The match will begin from the same point when it resumes on a new set date.

Times looked strong throughout the match once they began the game with a 25-11 lead in the first quarter. They added another 30 points in the second and stopped the opponents for 11 in the second before a slim three-point (11-8) lead handed them a massive advantage in the game before heading into the decider.

In Golfutar, Budhanilkantha went neck-to-neck with Army in the first quarter which ended 18-18. Army raced away in the second quarter where they tossed in 24 points and the hosts added just eight. Budhanilkantha managed to cut the deficit to 10 points scoring 23 in the third period with Army managing just 17. But a 20-15 lead in the final quarter handed Army another comfortable victory.

Ayush Singh also scored 15 points for Army, while Ram Krishna Ghatane chipped in 14 points. Ghatane and Ajay Kushwaha had 11 rebounds each for the departmental team. Rupesh Napit scored 15 points for Budhanilkantha and Biraj Rana netted 15.

Budhanilkantha, who now have five defeats and two victories, will travel to Kirtipur to take on Kirtipur Basketball Team on Friday. In the day’s second match, Golden Gate will host Royal Basketball Club in Battisputali.