With seconds remaining at the close of the final quarter, forward Kirk Baptiste, sank the final two points of the match to lift Petro Jazz one point over Police in a memorable 74-73 win, Jazz's fifth in as many matches, when action continued in the Mackeson Super 10 Basketball League, at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena, Pleasantville, on Sunday night.
With moments to go, Baptiste, whose previous contribution in the match was just two free-throws, made a lay-up to put Jazz up by one 74-73, after they found themselves struggling to keep the Lawmen at bay. Police matched the home-team in every aspect of the fixture.
In fact, it was Police which controlled the first quarter (24-20) before the half ended in Jazz's favour, 42-39.
Police then surged ahead in the third session 57-53. The teams then traded baskets in the fourth stanza and after the scores were tied at 72-72 deep inside the final minute of play forward Ronell Winter connected on one of two free-throws that gave Police a 73-72 lead. However, Baptiste then got an easy lay which regained the lead and the victory for Jazz to breathe a sign of relief as the final seconds ticked away.
For Jazz, which remains unbeaten, guard Adrian Joseph sunk 21 points, while centre Dextroy Manswell contributed with 13. For Police which record now reads at one loss and five wins, centre Phillip Alexander converted 22 points, while centre Don Wilkinson and Winter ended with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Caledonia Clippers moved to the top of the standings with 11 points, after a 76-68 victory over the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) in the first match of a double-header at the Southern venue.
For Clippers, which led 37-28 at half-time before posting its fifth win in six matches, centre Miguel Williams led the way with 16 points, followed by forward Akil Paynter who added 12.
UTT, meanwhile, which lost for only the second time in six matches, was led by forward Lazard Campbell with 23 points.
Standings
Teams Pld W L Pts
Caledonia 6 5 1 11
UTT 6 4 2 10
Maloney 6 4 2 10
Petro Jazz 5 5 0 10
Valencia 5 3 2 8
Diego Martin 6 2 4 8
S/Grande 6 1 5 7
Police SC 6 1 5 7
JCW Quarters 5 1 4 6
MOS Schoolaz 5 1 4 6
Shak Attack 3 3 0 6
Monarchs 5 0 5 5?