Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
THE LEAGUE leading Urban Knights got the second half of the KFC/bmobile National Basketball League (NBL) season off to an impressive start when they blasted the Portmore Flames 81-61 at the National Stadium on Monday night.
Coming off a huge victory over the second-placed Denham Town Wizards in the mid-season final on Saturday, the Knights, led by point guard Fernando Young's 15 points, four assists and four steals, were in no laughing mood and they quickly jumped out to a 21-12 first quarter lead. However the Flames and high man Adrian Coote, who scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, came roaring back.
By halftime they had not only reduced the deficit but had taken the lead at 40-36. After and even third quarter which saw the teams finish with 14 points apiece, the Knights proved to be too strong in the final stanza. They showed just why they are the league's top team, blowing out the Flames 31-7 in the final quarter to easily secure victory.
Darriean McKenzie added 17 points and snatched four rebounds in a losing effort for the Flames while Linton Murray added 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals for the Knights.
The win sees the Knights move to a record of 16-2 for 34 points. Flames drop one spot to 10th place at 5-10 and 20 points.
In the night's other games, St. George's Slayers outlasted the Runnin' Rebels 83-77 in overtime. Rohan Robinson had 20 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Michael Jackson had 17 points and four steals in the victory. Gregg Warlock had 26 points and two steals and Rohan Cruise 16 points and five assists for the Rebels.
