Omar Barnes and Javan Bailey laid the foundation for defending champions Urban Knights to outpoint Port Royal Bulls 84-78 in overtime of Game One of the best-of-three KFC National Basketball League (NBL) finals at the National Stadium Courts Thursday night.

Earlier, Tamishka Smith and Sasha Dixon ensured Braves Smilers dismantle the dominant Waulgrovian Bullets 57-45 to capture the Women's Invitational title.

The Knights, seeking their third NBL title, trailed 18-19 in the first quarter and went ahead 39-35 at half-time. In the third quarter, the Bulls overhauled the Knights 56-54, but during the fourth quarter their key players Orane Hart and Damion Young fouled out for the defending champions to jump at the opportunity.

Andrew Whilby tied up the game at 69-69 for the Knights at the end of the fourth quarter, prolonging the match into overtime. After several rough tackles throughout, Barnes found his footing during the extra time and with the 6ft 10in Oneil Mundle spurred the Knights to victory.

Barnes ended with 22 points; Bailey 20 points (four three-pointers); Whilby 13 points, 14 rebounds; and Mundle 13 points, 16 rebounds. Davian Wade (18 points, eight rebounds) and Paul Oliphant (14 points, six steals, five assists) made their mark for the Bulls.

Game Two gets underway at 8:00 tonight, two hours before Majesty Gardens take on Tivoli Wizards for the third place at the National Stadium Courts.

For the Women's Invitational, Smith had 17 points; Dixon 16 points, 10 rebounds and Melissa Farquharson; 15 points, 11 rebounds to steer Smilers to the win over the Bullets. As usual, Oberon Pitterson starred for Waulgrovians with a game-high 27 points, 12 rebounds. With the absence of the Latoya Bidwell-Wallen, the Bullets relied on Pitterson and the Braves dealt with her by putting three or four players on her.

It worked, as the Smilers led all the way - 16-9, 36-25, 46-31 and 57-45. The Women's League, however, will start later this month..

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