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HASC makes KSP sweat

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: HASC, former champion but now struggling to field a team, played well in spurts but Karnataka State Police (KSP) held its nerve to emerge 75-70 victor in the A division basketball league, at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Saturday.

The guest players in the HASC ranks — from Ivory Coast — were brilliant at times but failed to maintain the tempo. Kevin and Ismail did revel, as did the lanky Bouba, whose exit with five fouls midway through the fourth quarter proved costly.

Mahesh shines

KSP, riding on the shooting prowess of Mahesh, who was well marked in the first quarter by Ibrahim, and some scintillating drive-ins by Santosh and good under the board play by Lokesh always had its nose in front. KSP took a 15-0 lead before HASC could find its first basket. But then on Bouba, Kevin and Ibrahim dominated the proceedings and KSP went into the break at 19-12. In the second quarter KSP held on for a 34-29 lead.

After the change of ends, HASC upped the tempo and was three points adrift before slumping and then regrouping again as Mahesh managed to find the hoop from far.

Last straw

Rajkumar, who otherwise had a poor game for HASC, converted twice to bridge the lead to 52-53 but slipped up again to allow KSP to take a 66-58 lead. Sanjay Singh with a three-pointer and two fine efforts by Ismail helped HASC claw back, but Bouba’s exit dented the Aircraftmen’s hopes. At 72-70 Mahesh once again converted a three-pointer to put the issue beyond HASC.

In another match, ASC played at half pace and still proved far too good for Sports Hostel to win 57-47 after leading 32-24 at half-time.

The scores: KSP 75 (Mahesh 22, Javid 22) bt HASC 70 (Ismail 20, Bouba 14, Kevin 13). ASC 57 (Ravinder 10, Arif 10) bt Sports Hostel 47 (M.R. Varun 16, Rabbani 15).

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