Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
THE ST. George's Slayers extended their winning streak to three games following a 77-75 victory over the Blazing Panthers in KFC/bmobile National Basketball League (NBL) action at the National Stadium courts on Monday night.
However, things continue to go badly for last year's playoff team the Portmore Flames as, in the night's early game, they slumped to their fourth straight defeat - an 80-77 loss to the Arnett Gardens Rockers.
Defending champions Slayers found themselves comfortably ahead after the first quarter with a 22-14 lead.
However, Panthers eased their way back into the game, not only levelling the scores midway through the second quarter, but finding themselves with a 38-36 lead at halftime.
Panthers protected their lead heading into the final stanza and the Cup holders found themselves trailing 55-52.
ERASED DEFICIT
Led by Andre Wilson, who had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Michael Jackson's 15 points and four assists, the Slayers steadied to erase the deficit for their 14th win of the season.
The Slayers remain in third place with a 13-5 record and 33 points, two points behind the Denham Town Wizards and three behind the league-leading Urban Knights.
Despite taking a 17-9 lead in the first quarter and managing to cling tightly to the lead at 64-61 headed into the fourth, the Portmore Flames failed to contain a surging Arnett Gardens in the final stanza.
Big man Delano Mallett did most of the damage with his 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists, but Arnell Campbell's 12 points, five rebounds and three steals also played a role in the Flames' demise.
Damian Whyte had 20 points and four assists, while sharp-shooter Adrian Coote had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists in the losing effort.
STANDINGS
| | | W | | | | | L | | | | Streak | | Pts | | | GB |
| Urban Knights | | | 17 | | | | 2 | | | | Won 7 | 36 | --- |
| Denham Town Wizards | | 16 | | | | 3 | | | Won 2 | | 35 | 1.0 |
| St. George's Slayers | | 14 | | | 5 | | | Won 4 | | 33 | 3.0 |
| Tivoli All Stars | 14 | | | | 6 | Won 2 | | | 34 | 3.5 |
| Arnett Garden Rockers | | 10 | | | 8 | | | | Won 2 | | 28 | | 6.5 |
| Link Up All Stars | | | | 9 | | 11 | | Won 1 | | 29 | 8.5 |
| Blazing Panthers | | | 6 | 12 | Lost 2 | | 24 | 10.5 |
| Jamaica Defence Force | | | | 6 | | 13 | | | | Lost 2 | | 25 | 11.0 |
| Runnin' Rebels | | | | 6 | | 13 | Lost 3 | | | 25 | 11.0 |
| Portmore Flames | | | 5 | 12 | | | Lost 6 | | | 22 | 11.0 |
| Harbour View Lakers | | | 4 | 12 | | | Lost 2 | | 20 | 11.5 |
| Rainbow Storms | | | 3 | 15 | | | Lost 8 | | 21 | 13.5 |
