- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
St. George's Slayers guard Owain Hall dribbles away from Urban Knights' Linton Murray during their National Basketball League match yesterday at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Hall scored 16 points in his team's 71-62 win.LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
OWAIN HALL scored eight of his 16 points in the final two minutes for St. George's Slayers to salvage a 71-62 win over Urban Knights, in the opening game of the 2005 National Basketball League (NBL) yesterday at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
Hall hit two three-pointers and two free throws to pull his team away from a prowling Urban Knights, for Slayers to take home the CVM Trophy and $25,000.
With pride, ego and a little grudge entering the game, Slayers wanted to knock the monkey off their back after losing to Knights in the final last year.
BIG SHOTS
"Owain hit some big shots for us tonight and that opened up the game for us," Slayers' coach Winston Harvey said.
"Last year in the final, that is what was missing. We weren't making any shots in the latter part of the game, and I'm glad we corrected that tonight."
Slayers' captain Rohan Robinson promised to "take the swagger out of Urban Knights' step" and backed his word with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance and Sean Jefferies helped with 15 points.
Linton Murray top-scored for Knights with 17 points and added seven rebounds. Fernando Young scored 15 points and had five assists, but missed four crucial free throws down the stretch.
GAME PLAN ABORTED
Knights, who trailed for most of the game, apparently did not stick to the game plan.
"If we don't run against them, we can't win," Knights' coach Calvin Martin stated.
Both teams looked match-rusty entering the game but Slayers were quicker to shake off the rust.
They held a 23-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Knights regrouped in the second period to outscore Slayers 25-15 and cut the deficit to one (38-37).
Knights entered the final quarter leading 53-51 but they were held to nine points in the period.
The NBL continues today with debutantes Arnett Gardens Rockers challenging Denham Town Wizards at 6:00 p.m. and Runnin' Rebels facing Rae Town Raptors at 7:45 p.m. at the National Stadium courts.
