Combined Universities win cager nationals

S M Jiffrey Abdeen,
Kandy Sports Correspondent

Combined Universities fought back to defeat Kandy District 68 points to 61 in a thriller to become men’s level two champions at the Basketball Nationals organized by the Kandy District Basketball Association on behalf of Sri Lanka Basketball Federation in the finals played at Trinity College Courts, Kandy yesterday. At half time Combined Universities led 28-21.

At the end of the first quarter the undergrads led 18-16. The second quarter was evenly contested with both teams getting 5 points each. The undergrads led the third quarter 21-17.

But in the final quarter the Kandy team made a few mistakes which resulted in the University team lifting the championship title. Towards the close Kandy were leading 57-55 but lapses like poor shooting, not going for the rebounds and also erratic passes lost them the match.

For the winners P Paranithasan (34), Prithivura Samaraweera (14) and Dilan Sampath (9) were the main scorers. For Kandy the leading scorers were Trinity College schoolboys Randil Seneviratne (24), Thushan Dharmasena (14) and C Krishanthan (12).

Niluka Dananjaya and Charitha Dodangoda refereed.

Consolation Final

Jaffna District put up a fine display to win the men’s consolation finals by defeating Kurunegala District 60 points to 42. At half time Jaffna District led 30-8.

Jaffna led the first quarter 12-4 and the second quarter 18-4. But the third quarter turned up to be a closely contested affair with Kurunegala leading 16-15.

But the Jaffna leads put the issue beyond doubt by winning the fourth quarter with ease 19-4.

This match was played at St Anthony’s Girls College Courts, Katugastota.

The top scorers for Jaffna were R Prasanthan (25), S Thyalan (13), and N Thevagar (9). For Kurunegala Nalaka Kumarasinghe (15) and Prabath Jayaratne (12) scored the most number of points.

Charith Dodangoda and Diluka Perera refereed.