by Charleston Gladden

With a handful of games remaining in the 2018 Pepsi NEBL Season, teams are trying make their final push into the playoffs. That’s what DigiCell Belize City Defenders came to do as they faced off against Belmopan Bandits in a must win game for both teams.  Defenders is trying their best to position themselves to be able to play in May for the playoffs. While in Bandits’ case, they’re trying to win this marquee match-up in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Belmopan Bandits started off the ball game with five quick points giving themselves a boost of confidence, but Belize City Defenders were right on their tail and managed to take the lead throughout the remainder of the first quarter, ending the quarter with a score of 30 – 17. Defenders were able to keep their lead at double digits until 2:26 of the second quarter when Luther Page of Belmopan Bandits scored a layup and brought it within 8 points, but then Nigel Jones of DigiCell Belize City Defenders answered back with a basket of his own, returning the score back to double digits. The teams went into halftime with the score settled at 55 – 44 with Defenders still having that commanding lead. The third quarter would be all Luther Page as he was unstoppable, getting 10 of his 23 points in that quarter alone, and giving Belmopan Bandits their first lead of the game since 9:18 of the first quarter. The fourth quarter was tightly contested where both teams swapped leads numerous times and didn’t give any edge to one another. As time was whining down, Francis Arana sank a clutch 3 pointer for Defenders to gain the lead. Belmopan Bandits tried to respond, but weren’t able to make a shot on multiple possessions; thus, giving DigiCell Belize City Defenders a win by the score of 94 – 90.

Player of the game goes to Nigel Jones of DigiCell Belize City Defenders as he scored a game-high of 33 points, while grabbing 15 rebounds. Notable players for DigiCell Belize City Defenders were Francis Arana coming off the bench scoring 12 points and Jacob Leslie with 10 points. Top players for Belmopan Bandits were Luther Page with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Leon Jacobs finished the night with 21 points and Stephen Williams netted 10 points.

TIP IN:

Bandits: Emani Enriquez made his NEBL season debut after serving a controversial suspension that prevented him from playing.  Jevaughn Mckenzie finished with a season high of 10 points in 25 minutes and the Bandits are currently on a 5 game losing streak.

Defenders: Darwin Leslie suffered an ankle sprain (right) in 6:40 of the first quarter. He returned to finish the quarter, but did not return for the remaining quarters. He finished the game with 9 points playing only eight minutes and will be evaluated by team officials.  Lincey Lopez suffered a separated shoulder (left) in the second quarter, and didn’t return, and there is no timeline on his return…  Nigel Jones fell to the ground after contesting a shot by Luther Page and suffered a lower back strain in 8:42 of the fourth quarter, but returned to finish the game.

UP NEXT:

Bandits: Visit Orange Walk Running Rebels on April 13, 2018

Defenders: Host Verdes on April 13, 2018