Point guard Jeffrey Harris was unstoppable in helping Straker Nets keep a clean slate entering the "Big Eight" phase of the Barry Stewart Invitational Basketball League, defeating Maloney Pacers, 78-64 at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena on Tuesday night.
Harris scored a match-high 24 points during the intense encounter which saw Straker lifted its intensity as the match progressed to complete its 11th win on the trot. This was in the second match of a Group A double-header.
The play was even in the first quarter with the scores tied at 19-19, heading into the second period. Driven by Harris, Straker forged ahead to gain an 11-point advantage, leading 46-35 at the half.
On the resumption, Pacers boosted by Shakeil Bertrand (21) and Yannick Tappin (18) tried to lessen their team's deficit but Straker with guard Sadiki Guerra and centre Allister Martin stepping up offensively with Harris moved further out front to hold a 65-50 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Straker was able to maintain its control into the fourth and final period and sealed the 14-point win in the round-robin phase in the new format.
Guerra was second-best in scoring for Straker with 19 while Martin added 10 in dominating the low-post area.
In the opening match-up, Detour Shak Attack made light work of Police beating them 75-55 in a match that saw the former team lead from the jump-ball.
Much of the winner's points came down low with post-players Miguel Williams, top scoring with 24 while his teammate Shawn Lawrence netting 17. Small-forward Reynold "Pie" Hospedales also scored in double-figures with 12.
For the policemen, forward Ronell Winter (14), and centres Dextroy Manswell (13) and Don Wilkinson (10) were the main scorers in their opening match of group A, which continues tonight at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain from 7 pm.
Action in Group B was scheduled to start last night at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville.