KPHB edge Nizam BA in double extra time to reach basketball semis

KPHB defeated defending champion Nizam Basketball Academy 106-100 in a double extra time thriller to enter the semifinals of the G M Sampath Kumar Trophy at YMCA Secunderabad. Srikant starred with 37 points, while Keystone BA also advanced

Hyderabad: KPHB entered the semifinal of the Annual League Basketball Championship for the G M Sampath Kumar Trophy being held at YMCA Secunderabad with a thrilling 106-100 win against defending champion Nizam Basketball Academy here on Wednesday.

The teams were locked 85-all at the end of regulation time and 93-all after the first extra time.

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Balaji and Charan combined well with Majid to score 19 points in the first quarter for Nizam BA. KPHB was not far behind with Bharath doing the scoring, as Nizam BA led 19-15 at the end of the quarter.

In a high-scoring second quarter, KPHB outscored Nizam BA 24-21, but Nizam BA still led 40-39 at half-time.

After the change of ends, KPHB tightened its defence to restrict Nizam BA to just 15 points while scoring 25 through Srikant, Bharath and Steve to take a decisive 64-55 lead at the end of the third quarter.

In a hard-fought fourth quarter, Nizam BA, playing a fast-paced game, scored 30 points through Majid, Balaji and Charan, while restricting KPHB to just 21 points.

With just 20 seconds left, Teja scored a three-pointer to level the scores at 85-85 and force extra time. In the evenly contested first extra time, both teams scored 8 points each to take the match into a second extra time. With Nizam BA in foul trouble, Srikant used his height to drive in and converted crucial free throws to seal the match in KPHB’s favour 106-100.

In another quarterfinal, Keystone Basketball Academy breezed past G9 69-46 after leading 39-28 at half-time.

The scores (Quarterfinals): KPHB 106 (Srikant 37, Bharath 32, Steve 15) bt Nizam BA 100 (Majid 40, Balaji 31, Charan 10) Keystone BA 69 (Krishay 23, Pratheek 14, Chandrachur 12) bt G9 46 (Sameer 13, Sai 11)