Point-guard Derrick Boxill scored 28 points which ensured that the five-time champion Defence Force maintained itsunbeaten run behind a commanding 84-63 win over the Ministry of Sports Schoolaz outfit when competition in the Mackeson Super 10 Basketball League continued on Tuesday night at the Maloney Indoor Sports Complex.
Defence Force on the hunt for their sixth title found themselves in a competitive first quarter which ended 23-20 in favour of a youthful opposition that played an up-tempo style in attack.
However, this forced the defending champion to switch gears and Boxill led the way with 13 of his game-high, as his team went on a 28-8 run that separated the teams 49-28 half-time and the game was more or less over as Schoolaz failed to make a comeback.
It was Defence Force fourth consecutive victory from as many matches with Boxill, arguably, the best player in the country at present, being supported by Steven "Lighter" Lewis, who netted 14 points.
For Schoolaz which continues to struggle at both ends of the court, forward Nathan Lewis came of the bench to led the way with 17 points and team captain Triston Benjamin remains the team's most consistent scorer with 10 points.
Clippers hands Monarchs5th straight loss
Tenacious forward Akil Paynter scored a season-best 21 points as Caledonia Clippers handed the struggling Mackeson Monarchs team, its fifth loss in as many matches after a 69-59 scoreline in the first match of Tuesday's double-header.
In its best showing to date, Monarchs took control of the match-up from the jump-ball to open a 22-10 first quarter lead and despite being outscored 15-9 in the second stanza, the team went into the break with a 31-25 lead.
However, Paynter scored nine of his points in the pivital third quarter and Dexter Morien connected on two threes, that pushed Clippers to outscored their opponents 26-15 in the third session and give the team a 51-46 lead setting up an exciting fourth quarter which turned out to be just that, as Monarchs failed to keep up being outscored in the session 18-13. Point-guard Steve Williams provided support for Paynter with 11 points.
For Monarchs, forward Louie Davis, who has the record for scoring a three-point basket in all five games tally 15 points and Jazel Cedeno accounted for 11 to secure Clippers fourth victory in five matches to make steady climb on the 13-team table.
Matches
Today (At Jean Pierre Complex)
Caledonia Clippers v Police (Men), 7 pm
Diego Martin v Petro Jazz (Men), 8.30 pm
Tomorrow (At Maloney)
Maloney Pacers v YTC (Boys U-21), 6.30 pm
Maloney Pacers v Sangre Grande (Men), 8 pm
Saturday (At Maloney)
SOSBA v Trailblazers (B U -15), 5 pm
Brian Chase Academy v Police (Women), 7 pm
Sangre Grande v Diego Martin (Men), 8.30 pm
At Pleasantville
Quarters United v Off Limits (B U-21), 5 pm
Quarters United v Defence Force (Women), 7 pm
Quarters United v Defence Force (Men), 8.30 pm
Standings
Men's Division
Place TEAM GP W L PTS
1 UTT 5 4 1 9
2 Defence Force 4 4 0 8
3 Valencia Heat 5 3 2 8
4 Maloney Pacers 4 3 1 7
5 Caledonia Clippers 4 3 1 7
6 Petro Jazz 3 3 0 6
7 Quarters United 5 1 4 6
8 Schoolaz 5 1 4 6
9 Diego All Stars 4 1 3 5
10 Grande All Stars 4 1 3 5
11 Police 4 1 3 5
12 Mackeson Monarchs 5 0 5 5
13 Detour Shak Attack 2 2 0 4