Guided by a 31-point high from on-fire point guard Dereck Boxill, reigning Mackeson Super 10 Basketball League champion team Defence Force cruised to its seventh straight win in the competition, this time whipping Martin All Stars 97-75, on Thursday.The combination of army and coastguard servicemen continued their thrust for a Big-Four spot and went within six points of the lead with five matches remaining in the preliminary league stage.Boxill's impressive scoring haul continued following his recent season-best 46-point season best recorded against Quarters United, which followed a 40-point effort only 24 hours prior against Quarters United. His total of over 100 points in a three-match run was the first recorded by any players thus far this season.
Defence Force led in all four quarters- 19-14 after the first, 48-39 at half-time, and then despite being out scored 22-19 in the third, the Teteron outfit maintained control at the conclusion of the third session, 70-58.
Team captain Gerard "Nate" Toney supported his team's effort with 23 points which included seven three-pointers, while national forward Steven "Lighter" Lewis added 19. Defence Force scored 12 three-point shots in the contest as they moved from tenth to eighth spot on the 13-team standings and closer to securing a place in the Big-four finals.For Diego Martin, point-guard Sadiki Guerra continued his prolific scoring with 21 points which included of five threes. Forward Sheldon Laidow added nine points.Meanwhile, in Women's Division action, two-time champion Courts Horizon continue its poor run of form with a 69-57 defeat to Police. Police led 12-4 in the first quarter but was outscored by Horizon 17-12 to close the first half 24-21 in Police's favour. Horizon also outplayed the law women, 23-11, in the third stanza to take control of the match 44-35, but in the fourth quarter a one-sided contest unfolded between the two teams with Police getting the better of its rival 35-13 to record an eight-point win.
Forwards Kimfer Phillip and Leslie-Ann Bacquain both scored 12 points and former national forward Tessa Brathwaite added 11. For Horizon, former national players, centre-court standout, Rachael King led all scorers with 14 points and Annola Charles helped with 10 points.
Standings
Teams Pld W L Pts
UTT 12 8 4 20
Valencia 11 8 3 19
Petro Jazz 9 9 0 18
Caledonia 9 7 2 16
Shak Attack 9 6 3 15
Police SC 11 4 7 15
Defence Force 7 7 0 14
MoS Schoolaz 11 2 9 13
JCW Quarters 10 3 7 13
Diego Martin 11 3 8 13
Sangre Grande 10 1 9 11
Monarchs 9 9 0 8