Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Cuba survived a late fourth quarter surge to see off the Bahamas 79-73 and join the Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbados as teams to register wins on the first day of the Caribbean Basketball Championships yesterday at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
Allens Jemon's 19 points and 15 rebounds points ensured that the cup holders, who won the tournament at home in 2004, got off to a solid start.
But the Bahamas were no pushovers and the encounter was a close one all the way. Quentin Hall spearheaded the Bahamas' attack with 21 points while Nelson Joseph had 13 points in a losing cause.
The U.S. Virgin Islands recorded the biggest win of the day when they pounded Barbados 92-70. The Virgin Islands got off to a hot start and never looked back from a 24-14 first quarter lead which proved to be too much for Barbados to recover from.
Kevin Sheppard led the way for the Virgin Islands with 21 points while Frank Elegar had 14 points and six rebounds in the victory. Dean Browne and Andrew Alleyne had 13 points each for Barbados.
Antigua also began their campaign on a victorious note when they got by St. Vincent and the Grenadines 70-61.
Marlon Charles led the way for the winners with 16 points while Shadrack Roome and Randolf Williams had 13 points each for St. Vincent.
In the lone women's encounter of the day, Barbados were victorious when they turned back Antigua 75-69. Dallia Clarke top-scored Antigua with 25 points while Toni Atherley led the way for Barbados with 24 points and seven rebounds.
The Jamaican men's and women's teams began their campaigns last night.
The women took on the U.S. Virgin Islands while the men tackled St. Kitts and Nevis.
