Police clamp down late to take Game 1 over Pacers, move within one win of title

SAN FERNANDO, Trinidad — Police made the key plays when it mattered most, and it was enough to seize control of the finals.

Six days after booking their finals spot with a 75-67 win in Game 2 over Southside Elite, Police carried that momentum into Game 1 of the title series, holding off the Maloney Pacers 78-73 on March 27 at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville.

Police controlled the game early, setting the tempo with a 17-11 first-quarter lead and extending their advantage to 42-31 by halftime. Their disciplined defense and balanced scoring kept the Pacers on the back foot for much of the night.

But the Pacers had a response — and it came from their star.

Ahkeel Boyd erupted in the second period, pouring in 22 of his game-high 25 points to ignite a comeback push. Maloney flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring Police 21-14 to cut into the deficit and make it a one-possession game heading into the fourth.

Still, Police had the answers when it mattered most.

They edged the final quarter 22-21, making just enough plays down the stretch to secure the five-point win and seize a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Mikahail Williams led a balanced Police attack with 15 points, while Dextroy Manswell added 14 and Fabrice Fisher chipped in 13. For the Pacers, Boyd’s 25 led all scorers, with Tyrese Fields contributing 14 and Leshawn Alfred adding 12.

Now the pressure shifts squarely onto Maloney.

Game 2 looms as a must-win for the Pacers, who will need another big-time effort to extend the series. Meanwhile, Police have a chance to finish the job and lock up the title with one more victory.