A magnificent third-quarter run propelled Majesty Gardens to a hard-fought 64-56 win over the JDF in the KFC/National Basketball League (NBL) on Sunday at the National Stadium courts to lift them into joint first place with Tivoli Wizards with nine points.
Kemar McLeish with a game-high 21 points and 19 rebounds and Boldon Todd with 20 points and 18 rebounds, c****ined to turn back the soldiers. Havando Dunn also contributed 12 points.
Fuertado Clarkes was the JDF's top-scorer with 12 points and 15 rebounds; his best support came from Denroy Barnaby and Dermaine Foster with 10 points each. In a keenly contested first-half, both teams were tied at 14-14 after the first quarter and at half-time Majesty led by only one point.
However, the Ludlow Barker-coached side came out in the third quarter and literally blew away their opponents to take a 47-30 lead going into the final period. And though the JDF reduced the score to three points in the final two minutes, McLeish, Todd and company held on for the win. In the evening's other game, Omar Barnes posted a game-high 24 points and pulled six rebounds as champions Urban Knights defeated Arnett Gardens Rockers 60-56, for their fourth consecutive win. Oneil Mundle with 11 points and seven rebounds and Andy Smith with 10 points and nine rebounds also gave good support. Knights are now tied on eight points in second place with Port Royal Bulls and Blazing Panthers.
Arnell Campbell was Arnett's top-scorer with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, in the lone game at the Mobay Cricket Club, former winners St George's Slayers eased past Catherine Hall All-Stars 87-48 to maintain a perfect start from four games.
Dwayne Goulbourne had 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Anthony Burton 10 points.
Neville Christie led All-Stars with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Dave Black and Vermaine Rennie both had 10 points.
In action on Saturday, Majesty Gardens stopped Runnin' Rebels 73-70 thanks to a game-high 27 points from McLeish and 21 points from Todd. Lynford Brown led the Rebels' effort with 15 points, followed by Leighton Lewis with 12 points and Greg Warlock with 11.
In the evening's other game, the Port Royal Bulls, through 20 points from Leighton Meeks, 17 points from Damion Young and 13 points from Paul Oliphant, turned back Portmore Flames 72-69. Darin McKenzie led the scoring for Portmore with 18 points, followed by Kenadon Smith with 14 points and Ryan Peddlar with 12.