Pacers, Spartans Maintain Perfect Records in the DIAL

Saturday's Premier Division action in the DIAL, saw the unbeaten Maloney Pacers exhibit a commanding performance against the young Morvant Oilbirds squad. The Pacers set the tone early, leading 25 - 13 at the end of the 1st quarter. They continued their dominance in the 2nd period, expanding the gap to 61-28 at halftime. Ahkeel 'Smally' Boyd played a pivotal role, finishing the night with an impressive stat line of 34 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. Although the Pacers slowed their scoring in the second half and the Oilbirds found a bit of rhythm, the early damage was already done. Maloney Pacers emerged as the winners with a final score of 102 - 62, making a strong statement in their quest for the top spot in the standings.

On Sunday, the Championship Division promised intensity as New Chapter faced Spartans TT in a much anticipated matchup. While New Chapter aimed to challenge, Spartans TT had other plans, showcasing relentless play from the opening tip-off. Spartans outscored New Chapter in every quarter, securing a commanding 66-110 victory. Kevin Garcia led the way for Spartans, with a return of 36 Points, 4 Assists, 3 Rebounds, and 7 Steals. With the win, Spartans' unbeaten streak persisted, cementing their spot at the pinnacle of the Championship table.

In Saturday's first fixture, UTT showcased resilience and strategy, securing their first win against Defence Force in the Championship Division. The Patriots dominated early, doubling Defence Force's score at the end of the 1st quarter (16 - 8) and maintaining their superiority in the 2nd quarter (18 - 10), leading 34 - 18 at halftime. Defence Force rallied in the third quarter, outscoring the Patriots 22 - 10 and bringing the game within 4 points (44 - 40). The final quarter saw both teams matching each other point for point (17 - 17), meaning UTT preserved their advantage, securing the win at 61 - 57.

Sundays other matches saw a Championship showdown between Maloney Pacers and Matthew Pierre and an exciting Premier Division clash with Defence Force and Black Mamba. The Maloney Pacers, Matthew Pierre, contest began with a close first quarter, Pacers holding a slight lead at 21-18. However, the following periods were a display of Pacers' offensive arsenal, outscoring Matthew Pierre 29-11 and 28-11 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Despite Matthew Pierre's spirited comeback in the 4th (15-26), the mountain was too high to climb. Pacers secured a convincing 93-66 victory, propelling them above the Mayaro outfit in the Championship standings.

When Defence Force met Black mamba, they started strong, claiming the first quarter 22-14. However, Black Mamba swiftly turned the tide, outscoring their opponents 14-26 in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 4-point lead. The third quarter saw intense competition, but Black Mamba's finesse extended their lead to 8 points. Although Defence Force displayed resilience, narrowing the gap at one point, Black Mamba orchestrated a decisive run to secure their first tournament victory with a final score of 73-79.

Results - Week 4:

Saturday 17th February, 2024

Game 1 – UTT (61) v (57) Defence Force

· Mikhail Phillip (UTT) – 22 Points; 4 Assist; 11 Rebounds; 1 Steal

· Jaiheem Job (Defence Force) – 17 Points; 1 Assist; 10 Rebounds; 4 Steals; 1 Block

Game 2 – Maloney Pacers (102) v (62) Morvant Oilbirds – Premier

· Ahkeel Boyd (Maloney Pacers) - 34 Points; 7 Assists; 7 Rebounds; 5 Steals

· Kevon Williams (Morvant Oilbirds) – 22 Points; 7 Assists; 3 Rebound; 1 Steal

Sunday 18th February, 2024

Game 1 – Maloney Pacers (93) v (66) Matthew Pierre - Championship

· Jaden Simon (Maloney Pacers) – 24 Points; 2 Assists; 11 Rebounds; 3 Steals; 6 Blocks

· Josiah James (Matthew Pierre) – 21 Points; 3 Assists; 7 Rebounds; 3 Steals

Game 2 – New Chapter (66) v (110) Spartans TT - Championship

· Judah Guy (New Chapter) – 11 Points; 12 Rebounds; 2 Block

· Kevin Garcia ( Spartans TT) –36 Points; 4 Assist; 3 Rebounds; 7 Steals

Game 3 – Defence Force (73) v (79) Black Mamba - Premier

· Kerry Mc Millan (Defence Force) - 22 Points; 1 Assist; 6 Rebounds; 4 Steal; 1 Block

· Jose Mendoza (Black Mamba) - 25 Points; 2 Assists; 8 Rebounds; 5 Steals

Source: The Dial Press Release, 19/02/2024