Women's Basketball League: Thakuri continues to impress in Police victory
Scores 16 points as the departmental team defeats ISO Kite 76-63. Gorillas overcome Saipal in low-scoring tie. Alina Gurung of Samriddhi Gorillas in action against Saipal Academy during their Women Basketball League match on Monday. Post Photo: Hemanta Shrestha
Anusha Malla Thakuri continued her fine performance in the Women’s Nepal Basketball League rolling in 21 points to hand Nepal Police Club a 76-63 victory over ISO Kite on Monday.
Against a team bolstered by two players from Philippines and one from Bhutan, it was a crucial victory for Police who had thumped Saipal Academy 77-45. Coming into the game after posting scores of 16 and 9 in the first two matches, Thakuri had an allround game producing six assists and rebound each. A strong performance in the first two quarters laid the foundation for NPC victory.
NPC started with a nine-point (20-11) lead in the first quarter and took the second quarter 20-14 to establish a 17-point lead heading into the break. Another 19-16 lead in the third quarter put them 20 points ahead in the game leaving ISO Kite with a mountain to climb in the last period.
ISO Kite up their game in the last quarter but by then it was too late for them. They led the final quarter 22-17 which only helped reduce the defeat margin. Shreya Khadka also netted 13 points for the winning team. Philippine Allana May Kim netted 30 points for ISO Kite and Melani Lama took 16 rebounds.
It was second consecutive defeat for ISO Kite who had surrendered to Samriddhi Gorillas 60-43 in their tournament opener. Gorillas, who will take on NPC in their return leg, registered their third win in a row with a 40-22 win over minnows Saipal. Alina Gurung scored 12 points and took 14 rebounds for the winning side.
A low-scoring game saw Gorillas take a slim two-point (9-7) lead in the first quarter. Saipal led the second quarter 9-4 to overturn the lead but Gorillas hit back in the last two quarters to condemn Saipal to their second consecutive defeat. Saipal scored just two in the third quarter when Gorillas added 10 and a 17-4 lead in the final quarter ultimately handed the latter a convincing victory.
Skipper Sadina Shrestha also scored eight points for Gorillas and took 12 rebounds. Roshani Shrestha netted 12 points for Saipal. They will take on ISO Kite in the second match on Tuesday.
9.89°C Kathmandu
