Saints move up in South Conference play-offs
Saints improved their chances of making the semi-finals of the INSPORTS Southern Conference Basketball League by edging Portmore Blazers 60-59 to climb to second place in Zone One of the play-offs at the National Stadium Courts on Monday.
The result left the Saints on seven points — one adrift of leaders Spartans.
Conroy Morgan led the scoring with 17 points and eight rebounds, with Elvenda Norman getting 13 points and Markland Boyd 10.
Jermaine Mascoe posted a game-high 18 points for the Blazers, followed by Ryan Peddlar with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Saints led 13-10 after the first quarter and 29-26 at half-time.
They improved their lead by a point at the end of the third period, but the Blazers rallied in the final quarter to outscore their opponent 22-19. However, they fell a point short at the buzzer.
It was the Saints’ third win in four matches, while Portmore were losing their second from as many matches.
Meanwhile, Eastern Piston recorded their third successive win while handing Arnett Gardens Rockers their first loss in four games, after a 74-88 overtime victory.
Micheal Johnson with 19 points and Andrew Goulbourne and Vaughn Chevannes with 17 each topscored for the Pistons.
Kwame Lawrence and Vivian Spence both scored 17 points and Arnel Campbell 14 for the Rockers.
Arnett had a good start, jumping into a 20-6 lead after the first quarter and led 31-20 at half-time. However, an impressive third quarter by the Pistons who outscored their opponents 29-11 put them ahead 49-42 entering the final period.
However, Arnett took the period 19-12 to tie the scores at 61-61 at the final whistle. Overtime failed to live up to expectations as the Pistons ran away easy 13-5 winners.
Arnett (seven points) still lead the group by a point, although they have played one game more than their opponents.
In another game, Damian Richards scored an impressive 35 points as MegaMart defeated Fire Service, 82-66. Radhay Bloomfield was MegaMart’s other topscorer with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Fire Service’s Narado Gordon scored 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Norris Muroe assisted with 13 points.
Yesterday’s games were postponed due to rain.
— LS