Suriname clinches IGG Male basketball title in dramatic 66 – 63 win over Guyana

A dramatic fourth quarter saw Suriname edging Guyana 66 – 63 to win the Male Inter Guiana Games basketball title today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana had dominated the early stages of the game, leading 19 – 15 at the end of the first quarter, and went into the second half ahead 29 – 24. However, a 21-points blitz from the visitors in the third quarter would set-up yet another exciting climax in the Inter Guiana Games basketball.

At the end of the penultimate quarter, Suriname led 45 – 41; outscoring Guyana 21 – 12. Guyana’s Head Coach Junior Hercules made a sub that resulted in the home team clawing their way back into the game.

Guyana went five minutes without a basket as Suriname looked set to easily take the title, but, along came point guard Troy David.

David scored 15 points in four minutes, beginning the come-back when he was fouled and hit both his shots from the free-throw line.

Clearly underestimated by the Surinamese, as the Dutch players took David’s height for granted, the diminutive player hit three three-pointers; sending the almost pack Cliff Anderson Sports Hall into a frenzy.

Stanton Rose, who finished with a game-high 21 points, held down the back-court for Guyana, as Emile LaRose (10) kept Suriname in the game but lanky Timothy Thompson scored a DJ. J-like play to level the game for the home team.

Up by one with 23.9 seconds left in the game, LaRose was sent to the line after being fouled by the Guyanese.

LaRose scored both points, putting Suriname up 64 – 63. Guyana went to back to David and Rose, but Suriname held their own defensively while, on the other end, LaRose picked up a steal and closed the game 66 – 63.

Captain Nathan Saul had ten points in the game, while Darcell leter (17), Jamil wip (13), and Bioron Ewijk (10) were the top scorers for Suriname.