Legends nail Braves Chiefs

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Last year's runners-up Majesty Gardens Legends thrashed Braves Chiefs 71-53 to record their fourth consecutive victory in the Flow National Basketball League (NBL) on Sunday night at the National Stadium Courts.

In the curtain-raiser of the double-header, former champions Urban Knights also chalked up their fourth straight win, when they defeated St Georges Slayers 71-51.

The Calvin Martin-coached Knights, who won back-to-back titles in 2007-08, were led to victory courtesy of Andre Murray's game-high 19 points.

The winners led 36-26 at half-time and 50-43 at the end of the third period.

Murray received good support from national representative Javon Bailey (15 points and seven rebounds) and Oneil Mundle (10 points and 11 rebounds).

Captain Rohan Robinson, with 17 points and eight rebounds and Michael Jackson, 16 points, were the main scorers for the Slayers, who slumped to their third defeat of the season.

The Marland Nattie-coached Legends began shakily as they trailed the hard-running Chiefs 22-18, at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Legends came out firing on all cylinders in the second period, as power-forward Damion Young scored 10 of his game-high 19 points along with shooting guard Baldon Todd, who drained two three-pointers, as they outscored their opponents (20-2) to take a 38-24 lead at half-time.

The Chiefs were no match for the Legends in the final two quarters as they were outmuscled by their more experienced and versatile opponents, who ended third stanza with 56-36 lead.

Young also ended the game with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, while Todd finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite his team's massive victory, Nattie said he wasn't overall satisfied with their efforts.

"I am still not pleased with our performance because we still need work on our consistency and our ability to focus for the entire game," said Nattie.