Xavier International College finally broke their seven-match losing streak in the Kwiks Basketball League defeating Team Budanilkantha Municipality (TBM) 82-73 on Wednesday.

At TBM’s home court in Golfutar, Ajay Kushwaha took a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to help Xavier open the account in the tournament. They are currently at the bottom of the eight-team table on score difference after being tied on points with South Siders Basketball Club. Siders, meanwhile, lost their home match to Himalayan Hounds 65-59 despite overturning the latter’s lead in the game.

Tribhuvan Army Club currently lead the table with 21 points from seven consecutive victories. Behind them are Bishal Milan Kendra who have 15 points from seven matches. Hounds are tied on 12 points with Golden Gate International College (GGIC) and Kirtipur Basketball Team but stay at the fifth spot on score difference. Hounds and GGIC have played eight games each, while Kirtipur have five. TBM are sixth with six points from seven matches.

Xavier took a slim one-point (13-12, 20-19) in the first two quarters and stretched it to 13 points after scoring 27 in the third period when TBM could only add 16. The hosts fought hard in the final period but could only manage 26 after Xavier scored 22. Anish Magar and Binesh Neupane also chipped in 16 points each for Xavier. Utsav Chand top scored in the game with 32 points and Biraj Rana netted 16.

In the evening match at the St Xavier’s College in Maitighar, Hounds were 20-14 ahead in the first quarter but Siders hit back to lead the second period 24-12 for a six-point cushion. Hounds then added 21 points and restricted Siders to eight for a seven-point lead. Siders took the final quarter 13-12. Saurav Shrestha netted 30 points and took nine rebounds for Hounds.

Bijay Burja also scored 16 points, while Manish KC had 13 rebounds and 12 points. Sanjay Byanjankar rolled in 15 points for Siders and Avi Rajkarnikar netted 12. On Friday, Kirtipur will host GGIC.