Hyderabad: Mamata Medical College staged a hard-fought comeback to beat Freestyle Ballers 64-59 after trailing 27-38 in the last qualification knockout matches of the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship at YMCA, Secunderabad, on Thursday.
Golden Phoenixes joined three other teams in moving from Level III to Level II after easing past State Bank of India, Amravati, 58-30. They led 31-18 at half-time.
Freestyle Ballers looked rusty in the first quarter, as Kinshuk and Sachin managed only 12 points. Abhiram also struggled to convert several opportunities from the paint. However, Sreekanth of Mamata Medical College stole the show, scoring 12 of his team’s 18 points in the opening quarter to give them an 18-12 lead.
Freestyle Ballers tightened their defence on Sreekanth in the second quarter, restricting Mamata Medical College to just nine points. Kinshuk, Sachin and Abhiram scored through fast breaks, while Surya sank three three-pointers. Freestyle Ballers scored 26 points to take an 11-point lead at 38-27 at half-time.
After the change of ends, the tall and lanky Freestyle Ballers failed to capitalise on their height advantage, missing too many shots from the paint and managing just 12 points.
Meanwhile, Sreekanth regained his composure and scored nine points, while Akash chipped in with three baskets. Mamata Medical College scored 15 points to reduce the deficit to 50-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Within four minutes of the fourth quarter, Mamata Medical College tightened its defence. Sreekanth and Akash scored through fast breaks to level the scores at 50-50, after which the match became a close contest.
With four minutes remaining, the scores were tied at 55-55. Dheeraj of Mamata Medical College sank a three-pointer, while Sreekanth and Akash added a basket each to give their team a 62-55 lead.
Freestyle Ballers tried hard to fight back but were thwarted by Mamata Medical College’s tight defence, as the latter eventually won 64-59.
Scores:
Mamata Medical College 64 (Sreekanth 29, Akash 21, Dheeraj 8) bt Freestyle Ballers 59 (Kinshuk 21, Surya 10, Sachin 9).
Golden Phoenixes 58 (David 13, Kanthu 13, Khader 8) bt State Bank of India, Amravati 30 (Shivam 14, Sagar 9).