Slayers' Rohan Robinson makes an easy basket ahead of Adrian Coote, left, and Jermaine Moscoe of West Cumberland Flames during their game in the KFC/Cable & Wireless National Basketball League on Thursday night. Slayers won 83-60.
-Ricardo Makyn photo
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
HIGH-RIDING St. George's Slayers face an embattled Runnin' Rebels today at 4:00 p.m. at the Stadium Courts with a chance to end their regular season with the best second-round record.
Slayers are 14-7 overall and 9-1 in the second round and have jumped from eighth position to third. Their lone second-round loss was to Link Up All-Stars and they would like it to remain that way as they play their last match against Rebels before next weekend's play-off round.
In their latest win, Slayers thrashed West Cumberland Flames 83-60 on Thursday night. Rohan Robinson's game-high 25 points downed the Flames who are battling for the eighth and final play-off spot.
LUCKY FLAMES
Ryan Pedlar had 11 points but shot only 2-7 from three-point range and 1-13 inside the arc. Pedlar led Flames with nine points at the break but hurt his team by neglecting his big men and establishing any type of post play. Flames were lucky to be down by only seven points at half-time (34-27) but received a whipping in the second half.
The Slayers pulled away from Flames in the third quarter, punishing them in the open court and outscoring them 26-16 in the period.
Meanwhile, Rebels blew a 20-point, third-quarter lead and went down 62-60 to Tivoli All-Stars also on Thursday at the Stadium courts.
"We applied a full-court press on them instead of laying back on defence," commented Tivoli's coach Dennis Hutchinson. Paul Oliphant was a big part of Tivoli's defence, snatching five steals and shared top scoring honours with Levar Henry (12).
Rodney Wiggan led Rebels with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Omar Barnes chipped in with 11.
Denham Town Wizards (12-8) will try and work their magic on Link Up All-Stars (8-12), who are tied with Rebels for the seventh spot, following the Slayers and Rebels match. Defending champs Tivoli (16-5) face Urban Knights (12-8) in the final game at 8:00 p.m.
