RUNNIN Rebels overcame Urban Knights in a compelling FLOW/National Basketball League (NBL) Southern Conference final, securing the title with a 73-72 win at the National Stadium courts on Saturday night.

Kemar McLeish with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds and Rodney Wiggan with 13 points led the way for the Rebels.

Kemar Lawrence was the Knight's topscorer with 17 points, followed by Fernando Young with 13 points and Andre Murray with 11.

Rebels coach Pete Matthews said the team had their doubters earlier in the season, but showed that they are one of the better teams in the league.

"Urban Knights is a good team but I think Rebels are proving themselves to be the better team... and the personnel we have in this team are phenomenal... Kemar McLeish stood out throughout the game and carried his team through, but he couldn't have done it without Paron Brown, Rodney Wiggan, Omari Green and Jermaine Remekie," he added.

The Knights look the brighter of the teams in the first quarter and led a

14-12 at the interval.

But the Rebels came back strong in the second quarter and were able to move in front before the half and held a two-point lead (32-30) at half-time.

However, Rebels fought their way back and eventually grabbed 41-40 lead with three minutes remaining and held a 52-49 advantage going into the final period of the match.

Knights coach Oneil Brown said his players were indecisive at the end and it cost them the game.

"The team did well, we just made some errors at the end... but we will bounce back," he said.