Buffalos BC walked way in desolation as they lost the battle against Old Benz yesterday as the full time score board read 62-53.
The match commenced with the traditional jump ball start and Buffaloes BC drew first blood swishing the nets off a three pointer. Rimaz Hassen connecting his shot in the next possession helped the men in black to lead the game 5-0. Old Benz started ticking the scoreboard with a couple of three pointers in quick succession which unbolted the competition. There was no such clear plan in both offense and defense from either of the sides. Shooting off the grid with odd shots helped both the team to survive the game. Buffalos stayed on top of the cards with rebounds as they led the first quarter by seven points.
After the two minute break Old Benz came back into the game doing exactly what the doctor ordered and squared the game 24-24 with four minutes to run down. Buffalos opted for a man to man defense while the opponents advanced with their sagging man to man defense. Out of the ten in the court both sides owned players with height which made rebounding ambitious. The transition from offense to defense and vice versa was in perfect line by both the sides. Old Benz connecting more shots outside the arc led the game by five points at half time.
Half time – Old Benz – 35 Buffalos Blacks – 30
The second half of the game was contested well by both the sides and the unforced errors cost the game for Buffaloes at the end. If Buffalos could have had focused a bit more on the rebounding factor during the second half they could have had a chance to tuck the game in their pockets.
Both the teams did defend their adversaries well. On the other aspect of offense all the ten players penetrated into the defense and drew fouls. Yet Old Benz were on top of the cards in converting the fouls into points at the free throw line. Even though physical fitness was not one of the strong suits of the Old Benz the boys gave it all in the final twenty minutes.
The final six hundred seconds commenced with zero-zero run for two minutes as shots from both sides did not swish the nets. Both got equal chances at the free throw line but Old Benz maintained their consistency in converting them into points which was one factor that affected the final score. It was bit unlucky from the Buffalos point of view as they did fail to connect some close calls which could have helped them to ease pass the winning line.
Full time – Old Benz – 62 Buffalos Blacks – 53
ThePapare.com player of the match – S. Udayanaga (Old Benz)
