POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Magnum Rolle
Group A
Bahamas - Cuba 77:71
Bahamas clinched the top position in preliminary round Group A. They upset previously undefeated Cuba to set up the semifinal clash versus British Virgin Islands. Cuba will face US Virgin Islands in the semis. Magnum Rolle (211-C/F-86, college: Louisiana Tech) stepped up with 26 points to pace the winners. Bahamas silenced their opponents in the first frame. They went on a 22:9 run to secure a comfortable lead. Cuba adjusted defensively in the second period. They pulled within 9 points at the interval 25:34. Cuba cut the deficit in the third term. They got within 4 points at the final break 50:54. But Bahamas sank 23 points in the fourth stanza and escaped with a narrow win at the end. Ray Rose (183-G-83, college: Olivet Nazarene) chipped in 17 points, while Kadeem Coleby added 16 points for the winners. William Granda (189-SG-85) topscored with 18 points for Cuba. Esteban Martinez (192-F-87) had 11 points in the loss.
Saint Vincent - Antigua 93:92
Saint Vincent claimed the first victory at the CBC Championship. They wrapped up their Group A campaign with a narrow win over Antigua. Kyle Williams (189-G/F-88) banked in 37 points and 14 boards to pace the winners. Both Saint Vincent and Antigua are now tied at 1-2 record in the ladder. Saint Vincent dominated throughout the bigger part of the game. They registered an 18:16 lead after ten minutes. Saint Vincent boosted the margin at 7-point mark at halftime 40:33. Saint Vincent cleared off to a 13-point lead at the final intermission. However Antigua went on a furious comeback rally in the fourth term. They pulled within two points late in regulation before Sean Baptiste (190-G-88, agency: Prossin Sports Management Inc., college: Fair Dickinson) sank two free throws and sealed the victory for Saint Vincent. He finished with 22 points in the win. Ernest Scott (201-F-82, college: Valdosta St.) answered with 29 points for Antigua. Jerome Richardson connected for 27 points and 11 boards in the loss.
Group B
US Virgin Islands - British Virgin Islands 89:60
US Virgin Islands claimed the third consecutive victory at the CBC Championship. They knocked down British Virgin Islands to occupy the top position in Group B. Aaron Brown (196-F-92) scored 19 points to lead the winners. US Virgin Islands will now take on Cuba, while British Virgin Islands will face Bahamas in the semifinals.
US Virgin Islands dominated throughout the game. They piled up a 20:7 lead ten minutes into the encounter. They stretched the gap at 25-point mark at the interval 46:21. US Virgin Islands boosted the margin at 32-point mark before the fourth frame and never looked back en route to the win. Jason Edwin (197-G/F-81, college: Kent St.) netted 17 points, while Angel Rivera added 14 points for the winners. Norville Carey (196-F) responded with 15 points for British Virgin Islands. Halstead Chiverton had 11 points in the defeat.
Barbados - Guyana 80:69
Barbados earned the opening victory at the CBC Championship in British Virgin Islands. They held off Guyana to improve at 1-2 record in Group B. Barbados will now take on Antigua in the classification round. Guyana will face Saint Vincent looking for the initial win at the tournament.
Barbados set the tone early in the game. They unleashed 53 points in the first half to secure a 25-point lead. Guyana cut the deficit at 16-point mark at the final break but could not erase such a massive deficit in the fourth quarter. Keefe Birkett (G) chipped in 28 points to pace Barbados. Akeem Marsh (206-F/C-87) added 13 points for the winners. Rawle Marshall (201-SF-82, agency: Beo Basket, college: Oakland) responded with 21 points for Guyana. Ryan Stephney had 14 points in the loss.
