Marshall hails 'big victory' over Knights

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Edward 'Ted' Marshall, head coach of defending Flow National Basketball League champions, Tivoli Wizards, has described his team's victory over Urban Knights on Sunday night as 'big'.

The Wizards, who are seeking back-to-back titles, registered an exciting 81-75 victory over the Knights at the University of Technology Auditorium.

"I think that this was a big victory for us," said Marshall. "This was a hyped game and a lot of people were talking about it and we also have a healthy rivalry between us and so none of the teams wanted to lose this game.

"When we played them in 2009, they beat us and we didn't get a chance to play them again in the play-offs and so we wanted to ensure that we beat them in this game," he said.

Marshall added: "I know that we are a 100 per cent confident that we can retain our title. However, we know that we are going to have to work hard for it, and much harder than we did last year."

The Wizards, with seven wins and one defeat, began the match shakily and trailed 41-32 at half-time.

However, the west Kingston-based team changed their game plan at the start of the third quarter and went inside to their centre, Andrew Whilby.

The move paid off as Whilby scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the period. He was also dominant at on the other end of the court, as he outmuscled the Knights' centre, Oneil Mundle, to grab nine of his game-high 21 rebounds in the period, where the Wizards outscored the Knights 26-13 to take a 58-54 lead.

The Knights rallied strongly in the final stanza to cut the deficit to 71-68 in the final four minutes. However, a number of crucial turnovers from the likes of Javon Bailey and Mundle let them down. The Wizards' forward, Anthony Farquharson, capitalised on this fault when he drained a three-pointer and scored a jumper to seal the win for his team.

Kirk Ferguson had 20 points and Farquharson netted 18 for the Wizards.

David Blackwood was the top scorer for the Knights, with 14 points. He got good support from Mundle, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Knights' record now stands at six wins and three defeats.

In the day's other game, Portmore Flames recorded a 70-65 victory over Swift Sons. Kenardo Smith led the way for the Flames with game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. He received solid support from Adrian Coote (17) and Kevin Groves (11).

Adrian Wellington, with 16 points, was the main scorer for the Sons.