Himalayan Hounds wasted an 11-point lead in the second quarter to lose their second consecutive game in the Kwiks Basketball League as they were stunned 61-57 at home by Bishal Milan Kendra (BMK) on Tuesday.

At Shankar Dev Campus court, Hounds led the first two quarters and at one stage were 11 points ahead midway into the second period. But BMK managed to fight back in the remaining two quarters, thankfully for them Hounds’ key player Bijay Burja ran out of the fuel due to exhaustion. Burja posted a match-high 20 points with four three-pointers but was worn out in the closing stages.

BMK, who had lost their opening game 87-73 to title contenders Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) now have three points from two games. TAC currently lead the standings with six points from two matches.

Hounds 19-14 ahead in the first quarter and stretched the lead it to seven points heading into the second hanging in with a slim two-point (14-12) lead. BMK fought back in the third quarter that ended with both teams adding 13 points each as Hounds retained their seven-point lead. But Hounds looked out of sorts in the final quarter that BMK took 22-11.

Player of the game Bikash Gurung scored 18 points for BMK with two three-pointers. He also had seven rebounds. Bibek Shrestha had a double-double scoring 16 points and taking 10 rebounds. Bimal Karki netted 12 points.

Apart from Burja, who also had three assists, Hounds’ game revolved around Saurav Shrestha who netted 18 points, took 15 rebounds and had six assists. Mabindra Bhandari had nine rebounds for the losing side. Hounds had lost their first away game to Kirtipur Basketball Team on the second day of the tournament.

On Wednesday, Team Budhanilkantha Municipality will hosts Kirtipur in Golfutaar. In a night game, the Armymen will play away to South Siders Basketball Club at St Xaviers’ College.