SBI overcome a fighting Saints; Secunderabad Club down CCOB in GM Sampath basketball

State Bank of India (SBI) Hyderabad came from behind to score a 60-54 win over Saints, while Secunderabad Club registered a 48-32 win over City College Old Boys as Level II matches of the GM Sampath Kumar Annual League Basketball Championship commenced after a break at the Secunderabad Club courts on Wednesday. SBI qualified for Level I as Pool G Winner.

The match started with both teams finding the basket with ease and the score ran neck-and-neck with the lead changing many a time in the first quarter. Samuel, Sai and Sudheer combined well for SBI to score 18 points. Bagirath and Dujon played well for Saints even as two 3-pointers from Bhanu helped Saints take a 22-18 lead by the end of the first quarter.

in the second quarter, SBI tightened their defense to restrict Saints to just 6 points and in turn scored 11 points (with two 3-pointers) to take a narrow one-point lead (29-28) at half-time.

Samuel and Sudheer to the fore for SBI

After change of ends, Samuel and Sudheer collectively scored 12 points but Saints upped up their offense and aided with two 3-pointers scored 18 points to march ahead 46-41.

In a thrilling last quarter, SBI with their tight defense put immense pressure on Saints resulting in numerous turn-overs which were duly converted into fast break points by Samuel and Sudheer scoring 18 points. Saints could muster only eight points in the last quarter and went on to lose the match 54-60.

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In another match, hosts Secunderabad Club eased past City College Old Boys 48-32 after leading 34 -13 at half-time.

Results: State Bank of India (Hyderabad) 60 (Samuel 22; Sudheer 21; Sai Kumar 11) beat Saints 54 (Bhanu 16; Steve 12; Bagirath 9) Half-time: 29-28.

Secunderabad Club 48 (Vishal 11; Aman 9; Suridath 6) beat City College Old Boys 32 (Daniyal 18; Abhi 7; Vineet 3) Half-time: 34-13.