Guyanese win game-four thriller to sweep Antiguans

Dec 04, 2015 Sports

By Edison Jefford
Guyana’s national senior male basketball team survived a game-four thriller that was decided in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to sweep the Antiguans in what can be best described as a lopsided series

GABF President, Nigel Hinds (second, right) and Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas (right) pose with the victorious National Basketball Team and Coaches following their triumph Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Centre, Shane Webster finished a play from the paint off an inbound pass within the final six seconds of the game to help Guyana edge the Antiguans 71-69 for a 4-0 series win in their second game at the indoor venue.
Guard, Aminiki Archibald led with 11 points while Webster and forward, Akeem Kanhai scored 10 points apiece for the Guyanese, who debuted the younger version of the national squad. Keon Cameron pitched in with nine points for the team.
Marlon Charles led all scores with 19 points for Antigua while Kareem Edwards added 18 points and Adisa Harris 10 points. Antigua finished third at the Caribbean Championships this year, but the beat down they received in Guyana raised questions on whether they sent a full strength team here.
Guard, Terron Welch landed a huge three-pointer to give Guyana a 13-12 lead with a minute to play in first quarter. Guyana took a 20-14 lead with eight minutes to go before half-time, but the Antiguans drew within one (23-24) before Guyana went on another run three minutes before the half-time break.
Midway through the game, Guyana took a 32-27 lead. Charles gave Antigua a 34-32 lead with a floater in the lane before the two teams traded points. Guyana, however, seized the advantage again with five minutes left in third period.
The Guyanese went into the final period up 50-49. Nikkoloi Smith drilled a three-pointer for a 55-49 lead in the first two minutes of the final quarter. However, Antigua’s Eric Smith scored five points, including a three-pointer, to cut the lead to one 56-57, but the Guyanese responded with a 6-0 run getting the ball inside to Webster.
Up 67-61 with less than two minutes left to play, Charles landed a huge jumper from downtown to haul his team to within three points with 1:29 on the game clock. Charles then nailed three free-throws to edge further, within one, 67-68 before a free-throw from Michael Turner put the Guyanese up by two.
Drama unfolded when a put-back from Antigua’s Mario Samuel equalised at 69 apiece with just about 6 seconds left on the game. With overtime a possibility, Webster dismissed all hope when he towered above his peers to tap in an inbound pass for the win.