Julien's 31 Powers Spartans Past Oilbirds in Late-Game Thriller

28 May 2026 Woodbrook, Port of Spain - Young talented point guard Zachary Julien scored a game high 31 points, and Spartans TT closed on an 8-0 run in the final minute to beat Morvant Oilbirds 103-95 on Thursday night in Division 1 of the Lincoln “Cripple” Griffith North Zone Basketball League at the Woodbrook Youth Center.

Oilbirds led 20-14 after the first quarter, 56-49 at halftime and 77-69 entering the fourth before Spartans stormed back. Fresh off a convincing win over defending champions Maloney Pacers, Spartans stayed within reach all night and finally broke through in the closing minutes.

Morvant's challenge was complicated late in the third quarter when 6-foot-9 center Chike Augustine exited the game with a knee injury as he collapsed to the floor following a hard foul, depriving Oilbirds of a key interior presence for the final stretch.

However, the game was up for take in the closing period with both teams now trading baskets. With the score tied at 92, Idris Martin buried a 3-pointer to put Spartans back in front to the delight of their chanting fans. Oilbirds answered when Sadiqi Guerra knocked down a tying 3 to make it 95-95 with just over a minute left, but Spartans turned up the pressure from there. Their defense forced several careless Oilbirds turnovers in the closing minute, and Spartans converted them into eight straight points to put the game away.

Tristan Benjamin added 25 points for Spartans, and Theron Evelyn scored 12. Antonio Ambris and Sadiqi Guerra led Oilbirds with 19 points each, Obel Guerra had 17, while Kevon Williams chipped in with 13pts.

With the win, Spartans TT improved their record to 2-0, while Morvant Oilbirds dropped to 1-2.

1st Quarter: Oilbirds 20, Spartans 14 Halftime: Oilbirds 56, Spartans 49 End of 3rd Quarter: Oilbirds 77, Spartans 69 Final: Spartans 103, Oilbirds 95