Saints stop high-flying Spartans in FLOW/NBL
ST George’s Saints ended Spanish Town Spartans’ four-game unbeaten start to the FLOW/National Basketball League on Sunday after a 66-65 overtime win at the National Stadium Courts.
Kirk Ferguson, with a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Anthony White, with 13 points and 15 rebounds, led the way for the Saints, who were scoring their fourth win from as many games. Lynford Brown was the Spartans’ top scorer with 13 points.
Spartans led 14-11 after the first break, but the Saints turned up their game in the second quarter, which they won, 24-17, to take a 35-31 lead at half-time.
The Saints’ remarkable momentum continued into the third quarter where they again outscored their opponents, 11-8, for a 46-39 lead entering the final quarter.
However, the Spartans rallied strongly in the final period and eventually overhauled their opponents, taking the lead, 51-48, for the first time in the match, with just over five minutes remaining.
They extended their advantage to seven points (55-48), but the Saints gradually reduced the deficit and Kirk Ferguson scored in the final seconds to tie the match at 57-57.
The Saints started the over-time period better than their opponents, taking a 63-59 lead, but the Spartans came back to tie the score at 63-63.
Ferguson then put Saints ahead by a point from the free-throw line, but Phillip Anderson restored Spartans’ advantage with a basket six seconds from time.
However, the Spartans’ hopes for a fifth straight win was dashed on the last play of the game when White netted a basket to give Saints the narrowest of victories.
Earlier, Eastern Pistons got their first win of the season in handing Swift Sons their third defeat from three matches — a 71-64 result.
Michael Johnson led the Pistons with 17 points and eight assists. He was supported by Andrew Goulbourne with 16 points and 19 rebounds.
Kwame Lawrence was the Sons’ topscorer with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Tivoli Wizards beat the JDF, 52-49, for their third victory from as many games, and St George’s Slayers scored their second win in four games after their 57-30 triumph over Selassie Gardens.
The league continues this evening with two matches at the Stadium Courts, starting at 6:00.
