Carlton BC in 68-63 win

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Carlton Basketball Club showed their supremacy in the tournament by beating Otter's BC (68-63) in their Carlton Cup division 'A' Basketball match at the Police Park courts yesterday.

Carlton team had a narrow edge in the first quarter as they scored 18 points against 16 from the Otter's team, but were dragged to the back seat with an aggressive attack from the strong Otter's players who posted a three points lead by the mid way (35-32).

Both teams played a speedy game and winners steadied their attack in the third quarter and grabbed 24 points while allowing their rivals to add eight points. Carlton team were 13 points ahead in the end of the third quarter (56-43). Losers tried with all their skills in the final quarter but lost the game with a five point lead in the end.

P. Pushpakumara (29 points) and C. Danawansa (12 points) were the main scorers for the winners while Gayan Meedeniya scored 19 points and I. Perera added 13 points to the losers.

Carlton BC is unbeaten in the tournament beating Navy and Colombo Bulls in their early meetings.

SMI Properties win

In a 'B' division match played at the Depot Police courts unnecessary fouls led the Sinha Regiment Basketball team to an awful defeat at the hands of the SMI properties BC (57-62). Even though Soldiers dominated the first half by posting a four points lead at half time, a few unwanted fouls cost them dearly as the opponents converted them into points on free shots which SMI managed to reduce the gap in the end of the third quarter (46-42). SMI added 18 points against 14 from soldiers in the third quarter.

After soldiers' number 10 committed five fouls and sent out, Sinha team had to play a cautious game with four players on four fouls in the final quarter. SMI took the lead by scoring 49-48 and soon gained the control of the game. Soldiers missed some points and rebounds in the last quarter and SMI prospered on free shots and built the gap to win the match with a five points margin in the end.

Dane Henricus (15 points) and Nuwanga Perera (11 points) were the chief scores for the winners while C. Punchihewa (23 points) and Roshan Wijerathna (15 points) were the best contributors for the losers.

Moratuwa victorious

Moratuwa BC registered an exciting win over Damso BC (64-60) in their 'B' division match at the Amal International School courts. Winners were 10 points ahead at the half time stage (30-20) and never allowed their rivals to pose a threat. Even though Damso team fought hard in the third quarter they went down with a 14 point gap in the end.

U. Costa and C. Kolawardena scored 19 and 16 points respectively for the winning team while M. Vimokthi and S. Madushanka added 31 and 11 points respectively for the losers.