URBAN KNIGHTS and Tivoli All-Stars registered big wins on Monday night at the National Stadium courts as they extended their winning streaks in the KFC National Basketball League.

Urban Knights, since losing their opening game to champions St. George's Slayers, have won their last four - the latest being a 99-69 thumping of Blazing Panthers. Tivoli All-Stars also started the season with a loss but have gone on to win their next three games, including a 94-63 victory over Link-Up All-Stars on Monday.

Urban Knights had five players scoring in double figures as they cruised to an easy win over Panthers, who have two losses from four games.

Linton Murray scored 24 points, which included five three-pointers, while Fernando Young and Javon Bailey scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Kerron Caine (12 points) and Andrew Whilby (11 points and 11 rebounds) also had meaningful contributions as the Knights begin to show signs of shedding their pre-season rust.

Encouraging signs

"When you have five players in double figures, then you are going to be in the winning column," said assistant coach Kevin Alexander.

"We're still trying to find that set chemistry. It's not there as yet, but we are beginning to see encouraging signs."

Of Blazing Panthers, Alexander said: "Our opponents came out cold and we took advantage of that. I thought they played very poor defence and once they don't play defence we're going to hurt you and that's what happened."

Panthers, who were led by Lynford 'Shootie' Brown with 26 points, are struggling to play with cohesion, according to coach Donald Bimmer.

"There is no teamwork right now. We just have to go back to the drawing board and start from beginning."

Link-Up All-Stars have lost all four games so far this season. Their 31-point loss to Tivoli was their third game losing by 10 points or more. It was another one-man show for them as well, as Leighton Meeks top-scored with 28 points and added seven rebounds while Narado Gordon contributed 12 points.

Tivoli's Damion Young had his second game scoring 30 or more points when he bagged 35 points and 16 rebounds. On Thursday, Young scored 30 points in Tivoli's 75-74 win over Denham Town Wizards. Jermaine Peart and Evor McDonald contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, in Tivoli's victory.