Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Defending champions Urban Knights recorded their second consecutive victory in KFC Jamaica Basketball Association National Basketball League (NBL), following an exciting 77-62 win over Majesty Gardens at the National Stadium Courts on Thursday night.

Despite the margin of victory, Calvin Martin, coach of Urban Knights, was unhappy.

"I think we played very badly tonight because Majesty (Gardens) played a bit below par tonight. But we rather a win than a loss," said Martin.

"I think it was a reasonable game for both teams, because this is the second match of the season for us and I believe as the season goes on we are going to get better."

Concerned

Martin added: "We were a bit concerned that we weren't scoring because this has been our main problem from the beginning of the season and, hopefully, by the end of the first round, we'll be able to sort it out."

Ludlow Barker, coach of Majesty Gardens, said: "I think we lost the game in the fourth quarter because we had them on the ropes in the first three quarters and we did not put them away.

Weaknesses

"Our defensive and rebounding were our weaknesses because we fell short in both areas tonight and that was what cost us this match," Barker said.

He added: "This is our first game against them and I think that we will be better prepared for them the next time around."

The first half was evenly contested with the Knights clinging to a one-point lead at half-time. (32-31).

However, Majesty Gardens fought back in the third period through former national Under-19 player Kemar McLeish, who sunk 12 of his game-high 28 points in the quarter, as they outscored their opponents 18-17 to take a 50-49 lead.

Came out firing

Knights came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth quarter and quickly opened an eight-point lead through centre, Andrew Whilby, who scored six straight field goals with less than five minutes remaining. This resulted in Barker calling a timeout.

After the timeout, the Knights continued to pile the pressure on their opponents, who failed in their efforts to cool down the hot hands of Whilby, who finished the match with a team-high 23 points and 16 rounds. Whilby received solid support from Andy Smith (14) and Omar Brown (12).

Christopher Berry, with 18 points and 11 rebounds, was the leading player for Majesty Gardens.