Williams score 28 as Oilbirds stun Defense Force in Playoff Clash

Port of Spain, Sept. 4 — Kevon Williams poured in a game-high 28 points to lead Morvant Oilbirds to a dramatic 78–72 comeback victory over Trinidad & Tobago Defense Force in the Kelvin Roberts North Zone Basketball Commission League First Division Playoff at the Woodbrook Youth Center.

The win lifted Oilbirds from fourth to third place in the league standings and marked their second — and most decisive — triumph over the seasoned army squad this season.

Defense Force Dominates Early
The matchup opened with the soldiers in control, storming to a 9–0 run capped by a Zion Nicholas three-pointer that forced an early Oilbirds timeout. Point guard Juan Lopez finally got the Oilbirds on the board, but Nicholas and Kerry McMillan answered with a barrage of threes to build a commanding 26–9 lead. Jose Mays closed the first-quarter scoring for the Oilbirds with four straight points.

Williams Sparks Oilbirds Rally
Momentum shifted in the second quarter when Williams caught fire, scoring 12 points to fuel a 21–11 Oilbirds surge. Ambris, coming off the bench, added five points including a key three-pointer as the deficit was trimmed to 30–37 at halftime.

Trading Blows in the Third
Defense Force regained control in the third period through Ivan Williams, who notched seven points including a deep three and Jahiem Job with five points, including a three, to restore a double-digit cushion, 52–42. But Oilbirds kept fighting back. Obel Guerra powered through with eight points, and Ambris nailed a buzzer-beating three to keep the newcomers within striking distance, trailing just 59–54 heading into the final quarter.

Oilbirds Seal It Late
The closing minutes mirrored the drama of their first meeting. Big defensive stops from Rashwan Hope and Guerra stalled Defense Force’s attack, while Ambris, Guerra, and Williams combined for 14 points. McMillan’s free throws kept the soldiers ahead 70–68, but Williams buried a clutch three to give Oilbirds their first lead, 71–70.

With Defense Force in foul trouble, Oilbirds capitalized at the line. Guerra sank three free throws, then converted a three-point play off a layup to all but seal the result at 77–72. Despite a late McMillan layup, Williams iced the game with a free throw as Oilbirds outscored their rivals 24–13 in the final frame.

Top Performers

Morvant Oilbirds: Kevon Williams 28 pts (2 threes), Antonio Ambris 18 pts (2 threes), Obel Guerra 18 pts

Defense Force: Ivan Williams 15 pts (3 threes), Jahiem Job 14 pts (2 threes)

Quarter Scores

Q1: Oilbirds 9 – Defense Force 26

Q2: Oilbirds 21 – Defense Force 11 (Halftime: Defense Force 37–30)

Q3: Oilbirds 24 – Defense Force 22 (Defense Force 59–54)

Q4: Oilbirds 24 – Defense Force 13 (Final: Oilbirds 78–72)

With the season wrapped up, this budding rivalry looks set to grow even fiercer — T&T Defense Force leaning on their rich history, and the ambitious Morvant Oilbirds proving they belong among the league’s best.