Anthony Minott, Gleaner Writer

Portmore Flames' top scorer with 23 points, Adrian Coote (right), looks to pass out of a double team created by Majesty Gardens' Stevion Rookwood (No.14) and Ataine McLeggon (second left) during the KFC/National Basketball League match at the Edgewater Community Centre on Sunday. Portmore Flames won 76-70. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Portmore Flames, spurred by a hot second-half shooting spell, burned an understrength Majesty Gardens 76-70 in a KFC/ National Basketball League match at the Edgewater Community Centre on Sunday.

Flames were off to a hot start, dominating Majesty in the first quarter 24-14. However, their fire died down and Majesty stepped up the pace to establish a lead of 12 points (46-34) at half-time, mainly through the efforts of their two stars, Boldon Todd, with 19 points and eight rebounds, and McLeish, with a game-high 42 points, plus eight rebounds.

"Our game plan was to try and contain Kemar McLeish and let his teammates beat us and that didn't happen tonight," said Kevin Pinnock, coach of Portmore Flames. "McLeish scored over 40 points but we still won the game."

Full strength

He added: "We pound the ball inside to Kenardo Smith because Majesty players are mainly small and not at full strength and we did well at that. I'm happy about what we achieved tonight.

"We have a game on Tuesday (today) against Port Royal Bulls, we just have to go out there and try and win it,"Pinnock noted.

Flames scored 42 points in the second half to Majesty's paltry 24. McLeish and Todd combined for 61 points and their teammates together contributed a mere nine points.

The Portmore-based team got tight on defence, limiting Majesty to seven points in the final quarter. Flames were led by three-point specialist Adrian Coote with 23 points, 18 of them coming from behind the three-point arc. Power forward Kenardo Smith gave good support with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

"We didn't have the full complement of our team as only seven players suited up for the game," admitted Ludlow Barker, coach of Majesty Gardens.

"Hurricane Gustav and the violence in the area have really killed our preparations," a disappointed Barker expressed.

He added: "The only reason that we haven't dropped out of the competition is because we had a good first round."

Two games on today

The Flames are now on 11-10, while Majesty dropped to 11-9. They have two games remaining, one against the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the other against Catherine Hall All Stars, games they expect to win.

Two games are on today at the Stadium Courts. The JDF play Blazing Panthers at 6 p.m., while at 7:45 p.m., Port Royal Bulls and Portmore Flames renew rivalry.