By: Charleston Gladden
After losing their first game to the Verdes ball club in Cayo, the Belize City Defenders are looking to even out the season series at home and continue their momentum after winning back-to-back. In addition, Verdes are looking for their first back-to-back win of the season after defeating Hurricanes earlier this month.
In the early portions of the opening half, both teams use their speed on transition to keep the game at reachable distance. As the Defenders team were able opening up a gap between them and Verdes, Verdes came in sizeable reach and eventually taking the lead with their large scoring margin of seven points at that moment. Thus sending both teams to the locker room with Verdes having a five point lead of a score of 39 – 34. While in the second half both teams were vigilant on trying not to create turnovers and not giving either side an opportunity to score. However, that wasn’t the case with the Defenders as they cause six turnover in the course of the third quarter. As a result giving Verdes their largest lead of the game with eleven points. At this point Defenders weren’t able to tie the game, even though they tried, but unfortunately time wasn’t on their side as they fall again to Verdes ending the season series. As Verdes won with a score of 76 – 71.
Kris Frazier receives Player of the Games honours finishing with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Richard Troyer followed also with 17 points and Tyrone Hall tallied 15 points. Nigel Jones also followed with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Farron Louriano contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Darwin Leslie finished with 10 points and 6 assists.
TIP IN:
Defenders: F/Nigel Jones suffered from a mild concussion mid fourth quarter after colliding with Elsowrth Itza elbow, however manged to stay in the game.
Verdes: Kris Frazier received a technical foul late fourth quarter.
UP NEXT:
Defenders: Visit Griga on March 9th
Verdes: Host Running Rebels on March 8th