A youthful Budhanilkantha Municipality Basketball Club wilted under pressure from experienced Golden Gate International Club who overturned an 11-point deficit for a 93-79 victory for their third win in the Nepal Basketball League on Monday.

Tribhuvan Army Club meanwhile thumped lowly South Siders Basketball Club 92-51 despite not having skipper Robin Khatri who is in a three-match suspension under disciplinary grounds. Ayush Singh was the star performer for Army with 28 points with three three-pointers. It was sixth victory for Army in seven matches having previously lost to another title contender Times Internatoinal Club on May 8.

Budhanilkantha were seemingly heading towards a stunning victory away to defending champions Golden Gate leading 50-39 with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter. They went into the second half with a 54-45 lead after strong performance in the first two quarters where they led 31-26, 23-19. But Golden Gate began to claw their way back once they tied the game at 60-60 with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter.

The lead was trimmed to five points with Budhanilkantha going 70-65 ahead heading into the decider. Golden Gate took the lead after the first five minutes with Binod Shrestha tossing in seven points. A three-pointer from Rajiv Joshi handed them a five-point lead at 79-74 with 4:31 left. Saurav Shrestha made it one-shot game with a two-pointer.

Shrestha sunk another three-pointer to bring Budhanilkantha back in the game at 83-79 with 1:42 remaining. Golden Gate, however, used all their experience in the eventful closing stages and hardly missed free throws to shut down chances of any Budhanilkantha fight back. Golden Gate’s Indian recruit Yogesh Kanderiya, who converted nine out of 11 free throw attempts, was the man-of-the-match for his defining 37 points and 12 rebounds.

Binod tossed in 17 points, while Joshi and Manish Raj Rajopadhyaya had 11 points each. Rajopadhyaya also had 23 rebounds in the game. Saurav scored 22 points for Budhanilkantha including four-three pointers. He also had 12 rebounds. Golden Gate have three wins and as many defeats, while Budhanilkantha now have lost four out of six.

Earlier at the Army Headquarters, the hosts overcame a slow start to condemn Siders to their fifth defeat. Army took a slim three-point (15-12) lead in the first quarter before racing to a 23-point cushion after the second period which they led 24-4.

Siders could hardly fight back in the game surrendering meekly after Army led the third quarter 24-18. They added another 29 points in the final quarter with Siders only managing 17. Siders went on to score the joint-lowest team total in the league to join Kirtipur Basketball Club in the list. They had also lost to Army 86-51 on May 4.

Singh also had five assists, three rebounds and four steals in the game. Binod Maharjan (16), Siddhartha Maharjan (14) and Nischal Maharjan (13) were other major contributors in the game for Army. Minesh Shakya tossed in 14 points for Siders.

Nepal Police Club will host Royal Basketball Club in Dhumbarahi in Tuesday’s morning match and Siders will play unbeaten leaders Times International Club in their home court at the St Xavier’s College in Maitighar.