by Charles Gladden
On Friday night, February 10, Orange Walk Running Rebels hosted Belmopan Bandits at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex on the verge of gaining their second win of the season. As the first quarter started, the home team was on the attack making almost every possession. For the road team, it wasn’t the same they were unable to make shots and ending the quarter at 28 – 18. In the second quarter, it was an evenly scoring quarter as both teams scored 14 points leaving the score at 38- 28 going into the half. Midway in the second half, Belmopan Bandits were able to tie the game at 45. But unfortunately that was short-lived when the home team made shots and ending the quarter with a 6 point cushion going into the final quarter. As the finals minutes of the fourth quarter was ticking down, hopes off winning the game was getting slimmer and slimmer for Belmopan. All that was about to change when Belmopan scored back-to-back 3 pointers and bringing the game to a single possession game. And taking a 2 point lead with a 3 point shot by Stephen Williams, but the home team evened out the score at 61. Both teams tried to score to win the game, but neither could convert, causing the game to go to overtime. With seconds remaining in overtime, Orange Walk Running Rebels had a small 2 point lead and were about to win the game. But that dream was crushed when Edgar Mitchell of Belmopan Bandits made a crucial 3 point shot to take the lead and gaining another win for Belmopan Bandits.
Players contributing with the win for Belmopan Bandits were: Gregory Rudon with 17 points and Stephen Williams with 15 points. Edgar Mitchell with 14 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Richard Smith III also with 14 point along with 19 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Players contributing for Orange Walk Running Rebels were: James Ewing with 18 points, 13 rebounds along with 4 assists. Roger Reneau who had a near triple-double with 16 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds along with 3 steals. Randy Usher with 15 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.