By: Charleston Gladden
Coming into this matchup both, Belmopan Bandits and Belize City Defenders, are looking to avoid consecutive losses. Both teams make it their priority to win this game, as they both suffered from losses the week prior. Also in their previous meeting, the Bandits took away home court from the Defenders and now are trying to sweep the season series.
Belmopan Bandits picked up their fast pace style early on in the game as the Defender were forced to match their style in order compete with them. Resting on a ten point lead in the second quarter, Defenders stepped up on their defensive intensity thus causing Belmopan to force turnovers and take contested shots. As a result, they were able to take a seven point lead going into half time with a score of 43 – 36. In the second half the bleeding doesn’t stop there for Belmopan, as they were missing shots and seem excruciated to the defense of the Defenders. Thus finding themselves down by twenty-five points, but at this point there isn’t anything really they could’ve done to save themselves from a large deficit as Defenders won by a margin of thirty-one points with a score of 99 – 68.
Player of the Game goes to Nigel Jones finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Darwin Leslie followed behind with 14 points, and Shaquille Crawford’s 11 points and 6 rebounds. Jevonte Hughes led the Belmopan Bandits in scoring with 17 points. Also Kevon Lauire contributed with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.
TIP IN:
Defenders: Shaquille Crawford received a un-sportsman foul in 1:31 of the first quarter… Currently holds a season high in Points Scored in a Single Game… Mykeil Tzul shines with 12 points in debut while playing 20 minutes.
Bandits: Elbert Ariola suffered from an ankle strain (right) in 3:20 of the fourth quarter, and did not return.
UP NEXT:
Defenders: Visits Orange Walk on March 21st
Bandits: Host Cayo on March 21st