Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 10, 2015 Sports
Following a valiant effort from the Guyanese women, debut hosts, British Virgin Islands (BVI) edged them
64-61 in an opening thriller of the 2015 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Women’s Championships at the Multi-Sport Complex Monday night.
After falling behind 27-12 in the first period, the Guyanese bounced back to press the hosts in the island of Tortola, winning all three of the other periods, but still coming up short within the final seconds of arguable the best opening game of the competition.
Tafara Phillip scored 28 points for BVI on 10 of 20 shooting from the field. Phillip also had eight rebounds, five assists and six steals. Tamara Phillip and S. Fahie scored nine points apiece in the grueling encounter, which came down to the last 19 seconds.
For the Guyanese women, the University of Florida’s, guard/forward, Merisa Lewis poured in 23 points on 9 of 22 shooting from the field with eight rebounds. Ex-Loyola University Greyhounds of Maryland star, Miriam McKenzie had a double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Texas-based scholarship recipient, Ginelle Ifill had six points and 10 rebounds, as Nicola Jacobs added five points and eight rebounds and Timike Joseph-De Rouche six points to round off what was a comprehensive offensive showing for the Guyanese.
After the first period, the game looked liked it was headed for a blow-out. But several short runs ensured that the lead was cut to eight with BVI leading 38-30 at halftime, following a three-point dagger from Lewis
12 seconds before the break.
Offence was hard to come by in the early stages of the third quarter, as each team netted only one field goal in nearly three minutes of play. The Guyanese pulled within having a lead on occasion, however, each time, BVI answered.
Then, with 3:13 to play in the penultimate period, BVI went back up by 10 on a Tiffany Jennings three-pointer, and again it looked as if the hosts would start to pull away. But buckets from Ifill and McKenzie with less than a minute to play got Guyana to within five again (48-53) at the end of the third quarter.
The Guyanese, despite flourishing offensively were never able to contain BVI as they searched for more contributors on the bench. The hosts went back up by eight in the fourth with Philip on the move again from downtown with 7:06 to play.
Guyana continued to chip away, eventually cutting the lead to two points with 19 seconds left on a McKenzie free-throw. However, the Guyanese would get no closer, as Tamara Philip put away the game with a free-throw with nine seconds left.
President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), who was criticised in sections of the media, last year for investing in the women’s team, said that he is “exceptionally proud” of the female players.
“Their performance showed grit and determination that brought them back into the game. I hope they continue to fight in this way,” Hinds said when contacted for a comment. Guyana is playing in their second CBC Championship under Hinds in as many years.
The Guyanese women played Jamaica last night and will play Barbados today. Jamaica won 75-57 against Barbados Monday night; the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. (Edison Jefford with additional reporting from Caribbeanbasketball.com)
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]