BELIZE CITY, Mon. Jan. 20, 2020– The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tipped off its 2020 opening season on Saturday night in San Pedro Town, as the defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks hosted Belize City Defenders.
Both teams got off to a good start, as the score was knotted at 26 apiece at the end of the first quarter. However, in the second quarter, the home team was able to open a 14-point lead, and held a 10-point lead, 50 – 40, going into the half.
In the third quarter, Defenders extended their man-to-man defense to the length of the floor, which narrowed the gap to 4 points at the end of the third quarter, 74–70. After a hotly contested 4th quarter, Tiger Sharks was able to provide an answer for all the offensive outbursts that Defenders were able to muster, holding on to a 99–90 victory in the season opener.
San Pedro Tiger Sharks was led by Martevuius Adams, who tallied 24 points and 6 rebounds, while newly acquired import, Antone Robinson, Jr. chipped in 21 points and 7 boards. Francis Arana had 15 points, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds; and Jihad Wright finished with 13 points, 5 steals and 4 assists. The Tiger Sharks had a 46–38 advantage on points in the paint, and a 23–18 edge on fast break points while their bench scored 19 points compared to 5 points from the Defenders’ subs. San Pedro Tiger Sharks shot 52% from the field, while going 5 for 12 (41.7%) from behind the three-point arc.
American import, Nigel Jones, the leading scorer for Belize City Defenders, had a double-double with the game high 27 points to go with 10 rebounds; while Devin Daly tallied 23 points, 4 steals and 3 assists. Big man Farron Louriano netted 16 points, to go with 9 rebounds; while Mykiel Tzul also had a double-double, with 11 points and 10 dimes. Belize City Defenders had the 20–12 edge on second chance points, but shot a dismal 45% from the charity stripe, missing 16 of 29 of their free-throw attempts. Defenders shot 42% from the field and 25% from behind the arc, hitting 7 of 27 of their three point attempts.
Upcoming games:
Friday, January 24
8:45 p.m. – Verdes vs Orange Walk Running Rebels at Sacred Heart College Auditorium
9:15 p.m. – Belize Hurricanes vs San Pedro Tiger Sharks at Civic Center
Saturday, January 25
8:00 p.m. – Punta Gorda Panthers vs Belmopan Bandits at Toledo Sporting Complex
8:00 p.m. – Griga Dream Ballers vs Belize City Defenders at Russell Chiste Garcia Auditorium