Pacers win big in national b-ball

MAHALIA SIMPSON turned in  a game high 20 points to lead Unit Trust Maloney Pacers to a 61-45 win over Brian Chase Academy in women’s action in the National Basketball Championships at Maloney Indoor Sports Facility. Simpson’s score along with four rebounds in Wednesday night’s match,  earned her the Player of the Game title. Melissa Guerero added 16 points as the Maloney girls went on a second half recovery mission. The Academy led 13-10 at the end of the first period and seemed to be in control leading 25-17 at the half-time interval with Afeisha Noel scoring  16 points and added a game-high 16 rebounds. Nikiesha Cropper had ten points and five rebounds and Jamie Jack nine. Pacers were more dominant coming in from the break and held their opponents to four points in the third quarter to lead 41-29.

They kept up this defensive pressure during  the final period, and despite the Academy’s new found fervour still were able to walk away winners by a comfortable 16 points. In game one of the women division double-header, Police, who are second on the Group B table, came from trailing 14-10 in the first quarter, to tie the game at 26 at the half and complete a thrilling 55-48 victory over Group leaders Defence Force. And for her hand in the table turning win, Police high-flyer Euphemia Huggins was named Player of the Game. She had 16 points and hauled in 14 rebounds while teammate Peggy-Ann Brown got 13 points. Defence Force were unsuccessful in stopping the Police revolt, but Crystal George fought valiantly scoring a game-high 22 points, dishing out  three assists and pulling down 13 rebounds.  Stacey Sparks added 11 points, three assists and seven rebounds. NFM will take on Seattle in the final game of the group stage on Saturday at the St Paul Street Sport Facility at 5 pm. The Big Four playoffs begin on Monday.