The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the Mail Boat Cybots pulled off a rout, the Y-Care Wreckers had to go right down to the wire before they prevailed in the New Providence Basketball Association’s double header at the AF Adderley Gymnasium on Monday night.

The Cybots blasted the Double R Services Limited Cleaners 104-71 and the Wreckers nipped the Pyramid Food Rockets 87-86. Both winners were able to shake off their season-opening losses, the Rockets dropped to 1-1 and the Cleaners remained winless in two games so far.

Cybots 104,

Cleaners 71

Eugene Bain came off the bench and posted another double-double with a game high 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead a well-balanced scoring attack for the Mail Boat, coached by Wayde Watson.

Delvonne Duncombe, returning to their line-up after a brief hiatus, also came off the bench and netted 17 points. In his starting role, rookie point guard Lerecus Armbrister scored 14 points with four steals, three rebounds and two assists. Ahmad Bootle had 13 points, Jason Collie added 12 points, rookie centre Delano Knowles had 11 points and six rebounds and Trevor Green chipped in with eight points and nine rebounds.

In a losing effort, Dax Evans had 13 points and seven rebounds, Jamaris King 11 points and seven rebounds and Omal Deveaux 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Mail Boat outrebounded Double L Cleaners 51-45, but the Cleaners committed 35 turnovers compared to 24 by the Cybots. The Cybots also had a 13-11 margin over the Cleaners in assists, 18-7 in steals and 2-0 in blocks. The Cybots opened a 27-15 advantage after the first quarter and extended it to 55-37 at the half. At the end of the third, they were up 80-51.

Wreckers 87,

Rockets 86

Off-season acquisition Lorenzo Carter stepped up big time on a foul by Christoff Stuart to can a pair of free throws with just six seconds left on the clock to propel Y-Care from a 86-85 deficit for the heartbreaking decision after David Taylor missed a buzzer-beating three-pointer for Pyramid Food.

Carter, playing 26 minutes and eight seconds, ended up with 14 points and eight rebounds, but Mario Pickstock had a side high 17 points with eight rebounds. Kevin Armstrong had 18 points and eight rebounds, Anthony Whylly 12 points, eight rebounds and four steals, Randy Williams 10 points and Jeremy Neely added nine points.

In a losing effort, Stuart finished with a game high 21 points and six rebounds, Cory Williams had 13 points, David Taylor 12 points and nine rebounds, Barry Carter 11 points with six rebounds, Rashad McKenzie nine points and seven rebounds and Kenrico Lockhart helped out with six points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Rockets outscored the Wreckers 48-36 per cent from the field, but the Wreckers had a 31-11 percentage edge from the three-point line and 63-45 from the free throw line. The wreckers also outrebounded the Rockets 46-43. The Rockets, however, committed more turnovers 26-23 and had a 19-10 advantage in assists. The Wreckers had a 15-10 advantage in steals. Both teams posted two blocks.

The lead changed throughout the game with Pyramid Food taking the first break at the end of the first quarter 26-20. Y-Care’s stormed back for a 47-44 margin at the half. At the end of the third, the Rockets skyrocketed with a 30-21 spurt to snatch a 74-68 lead going into the fourth.