Saints make big rally to seal spot in play-offs

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

It took extra time to secure their place in this year's National Basketball League (FNBL) play-offs, as St Georges Saints prevailed 97-87 over Runnin Rebels at the University of the West Indies on Tuesday night.

The victory was sweet revenge for the Saints, who were beaten by the Rebels in the first round of the competition. The Saints, who will close out their second-round campaign against Urban Knights, now have three wins and one defeat.

They have now joined Majesty Gardens Legends, Urban Knights, St Georges Slayers, Spanish Town Spartans and Pembroke Hall in the play-offs.

The Saints were led to their victory, courtesy of the sharp shooter Kirk Ferguson's game-high 30 points, backed up with 13 assists.

GOOD SUPPORT

Ferguson received good support from Conroy Morgan, who scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

"My team is playing with a lot confidence going into the play-offs because we had a few new players, and they are now starting to gel with the rest of the team," said Jason Moses, coach of the Saints.

"Our first aim is to win our first play-off game, and hopefully this will lift our confidence as we look to progress to the finals."

Moses added: "We are finally starting to execute our strategy that we have been preaching from day one. And we have also become a lot more cohesive as a team, and I believe that we can beat any team on the day."

The Saints, who are reaching the play-offs for the second consecutive season, started the match very slowly, as the Rebels took a commanding 40-25 lead at half-time. But the Saints fought their way back into the match in the third quarter, as they outscored Rebels 17-14 to reduce the deficit to 54-42 at the end of the period.

The free-scoring Saints outclassed their opponents 28-16 in the final stanza and, in the process, tied the game at 70-70 by the end of the regulation time.

Ferguson also had an excellent shooting display for the winners in the final period, as he netted 10 of his team's 28 points, which also included two three-pointers.

In the day's other game, the Slayers, who were the first team to qualify for the play-offs, warmed up for the post-season with an easy 81-61 victory over Portmore Mega Flames.

The Rohan Robinson-coached Slayers were guided to victory by Garrick Allen's 12 points.

Meanwhile, Adrian Coote 19 points, and Ian Anderson, 10, were the main scorers for the Flames.