Another tight win for NTB in MSBA 2017

Nations Trust Bank (NTB) took on Mobitel Sri Lanka in another encounter of the Mercantile Basketball League 2017. The B division clash was tucked away in the pocket by NTB as they pulled off a stunning win after a nail biting game of basketball.

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The first quarter started off with NTB getting first possession of the ball. Even though NTB did have maiden possession they failed to add points on the board as the defence of the opposition stood strong.  It was a tight first quarter as both teams adapted to tight defensive strategies one after the other, hence, it was a nightmare for both  teams to get onto a fine start with a comfortable lead.  

First Quarter:  Nations Trust Bank – 11 Mobitel – 07

Both NTB and Mobitel continued the tight defence, making the game tense in the offensive aspects. Both went on to attempt many shots from outside the perimeter to extend the lead while penetrating in to draw the fouls. The offensive ploy of drawing fouls after penetrating in was successful for both teams as many free-throws were made from the charity strike. NTB went on to add nine points into the quarter while Mobitel replied with eight points. NTB banking on the early lead led the game by five points into lemons.  

Half Time: – Nations Trust Bank – 20 Mobitel- 15

After the ten-minute break, revitalized Mobitel took on the bankers by surprise as they topped the quarter scoring seventeen points. NTB only managed to add four points. Mobitel who were trailing the games during lemons turned the tables around grabbing a lead of eight points at the end of the third quarter.

Third Quarter: – Nations Trust Bank- 24 Mobitel- 32

Coming into the final ten minutes of the match, NTB had to get back the form that they lost in the penultimate quarter to make inroads into the game. It was the fouls that turned the game on its heels. NTB drawing more fouls via penetrating into the defence made sure they converted them into points in the charity strike. Even though the defence from Mobitel was tight they failed to catch up the points they leaked in the free-throws. NTB went on to add nineteen points into the final quarter while Mobitel only replied back with six points. NTB who trailed the game during the third quarter came back and etched victory in a scintillating performance of basketball.     

Full Time: – Nations Trust Bank 43 Mobitel- 38