The New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) defending champions Commonwealth Bank Giants recorded their third win of the new season on Wednesday night at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium. They topped The Real Deal Shockers 114-101 in the league's highest scoring contest so far.
Michael "Furley" Bain Jr. led the way for the champs with 26 points and seven rebounds in the wire-to-wire victory. Kevin Hinsey added 21 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field, Mark Hanna finished with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, Patrick Brice came off the bench to add 17 points, and Robson Memnon finished with eight points and 14 rebounds.
William Rigby led the Shockers with a game high 34 points, Lamont Armaly added 13 points and four rebounds, Floyd Armbrister finished with 12 points and Diangelo Woodside chipped in with nine.
Points in the paint and efficiency behind the three-point line were key factors in the game for the Giants. They shot 64 percent from long range compared to 29 percent for the Shockers.
Commonwealth Bank also outscored the Shockers 36-25 in bench points.
The Giants jumped out to a 20-17 lead after the first quarter, and after a 30-point second quarter they took a 50-40 lead into the half.
Commonwealth Bank's terrific shooting continued in the second half, as they scored more than 30 in each of the final two quarters.
In the other game on Wednesday night, the PJ's Stingers crushed the College of The Bahamas (COB) Caribs, 78-49.
Bernard Bonamy came off the bench to lead the Stingers with 19 points and three assists. Able Joseph added 12 points and nine assists, Jervonne Atkins finished with 12 points and Vernon Stubbs chipped in with 11.
Both Justin Smith and Reuben Goodman finished with 10 points each for the Caribs.
The Stingers trailed the Caribs 17-14 after the first quarter, but gained control of the game after out-scoring COB, 24-8 in the second quarter. The Stingers' bench outscored the Caribs' bench 43-8. They also forced a whopping 35 turnovers in the game.
NPBA action continues tonight at 7:30 at A.F. Adderley. In the opening game, the Double R. Services Ltd. Cleaners will take on the Patron Regulators, and in the second game the Pyramid Food Rockets will go up against the Rhythm Rebels.
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