Mamata Medical College and Golden Phoenixes secured promotion to Level I in the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship with hard-fought knockout victories. Mamata beat Rising Stars, while Golden Phoenixes edged past YMCA Hyderabad at Secunderabad Club

Hyderabad: Befitting a knockout match with a place in Level I at stake, Mamata Medical College and Golden Phoenixes scored hard-fought wins over Rising Stars (Secunderabad) 66-63 and YMCA Hyderabad 75-71, respectively, to gain promotion to Level I in the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship at Secunderabad Club here on Wednesday.

Rising Stars displayed better teamwork, but Mamata Medical College’s Srikanth played brilliantly to take the first quarter 10-9.

In a high-scoring second quarter, Yeshwant and Nipun scored three three-pointers as Rising Stars scored 17 points. However, Akash and Abhiram joined the scoring spree of Golden Phoenixes, amassing a massive 23 points to take a 33-26 lead at half-time.

After the change of ends, Rising Stars tightened their defence to restrict Golden Phoenixes to just 14 points. They, in turn, played a fast-paced game and scored 19 points to bridge the gap to just two points, as Golden Phoenixes led 47-45 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fiercely fought last quarter, Nipun sank two three-pointers, with Srinivas, Yeshwanth and Yagnesh chipping in with a brace of drive-in shots to score 18 points. However, it was not enough as they were unable to stop Srikanth, who scored 10 points in the last quarter alone. Aided by two three-pointers from Akash, Mamata Medical College scored 19 points to finally win the match 66-63.

The scores:

Golden Phoenixes 75 (Sam 21, David 19, Kanthu 14, Khadeer 11) bt YMCA Hyderabad 71 (Krish 27, Aadvik 21).

Mamata Medical College 66 (Srikanth 19, Abhiram 16, Aakash 15, Dheeraj 9) bt Rising Stars, Sec’bad, 61 (Nipun 16, Srinivas 14, Yeshwanth 14, Yagnesh 10).