HSC Blacks outsmarted the Old Bens, to win 55-40, recording their second win in the tournament. The match took place at the Police Park Basketball Court at 8.30 pm last evening amidst cool weather conditions.
Andrew Alphonsus got the game underway for the HSC Blacks, driving to the basket after his team gained possession off the jump ball. He made one of the two free throws granted after being fouled, and swished a 3 pointer from the left side on the next play. Perera opened scoring for the Old Bens, with a textbook layup. The young Thevakumar, scored 5 points in quick succession for the Bens. Both teams seemed to take some time to settle into the game, as there were quite a number of shots that were way off the mark. The scoreboard showed 12-7, at the end of the 1st quarter in favor of the Blacks.
Udayanda of the Old Bens opened scoring in the second quarter with a three point play, as he was fouled his way to finish off at the basket. Bens tied the score, two minutes into the quarter. Sulakshana scored for the Blacks with a stunning layup and an impressive jumper. It was quite evident that the boys from Kotahena were having trouble at the arc, missing an alarming number of attempts. The second quarter proved to be quite a lukewarm quarter with the score with the Blacks having a single point advantage over their opponents.
Half-Time: HSC Blacks 19 – Old Bens 18
Rejuvenated after the ten minute interval, Tushan Dharmasena opened scoring extending his team’s lead. Perera evened the score, for the Bens with as she swished the nets outside the arc. The Blacks played a stellar game, screening off defenders and with the precise ball handling skills. The Old Bens, however were not all that easy to overcome as they fought hard to keep the score at 34-32, trailing only by two points at the end of the third quarter.
Blacks extended their lead, continuing to be in decent form in the final quarter. Bens, made quite a number of loose passes as well as unforced errors, leaving them with very little time to make amends. Both teams had their share of mistakes, but the Blacks continued to keep the scoreboard ticking, and the Bens comeback never seemed to take place.
Full Time: HSC Blacks 55- Old Bens – 40
ThePapare.com Player of the Match- K. Sankalpa (HSC Blacks)
