Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Urban Knights' captain Andrew Whilby (right) keeps the ball from Marlon Millis of St George's Slayers during a match earlier this season. Whilby will lead the Knights into mid-season final battle against the Bulls. - Kyle Macpherson / Freelance Photographer

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Urban Knights and Port Royal Bulls secured their places in the semi-finals of the KFC/National Basketball League following 2-1 series victories over Running Rebels and St George's Slayers on Tuesday night at the National Stadium.

They join Majesty Gardens and Tivoli Wizards in the semis.

In the opening game, the Bulls, led by Damion Young's 36 points and 15 rebounds, defeated St George's Slayers 82-71. In the late encounter, the Knights stopped the Rebels 70-58.

Young received solid support from Paul Oliphant and Davian Wade, who scored 15 points each. Rohan Robinson (15) and Howard Daley (14) were the leading scorers for St George's Slayers.

Could have done better

Ann-marie Massey, manager of the Bulls, said: "I am not totally satisfied with our performance because I think we could have done a lot better on defence.

"However, we went out and we played strong and we did what we had to do to win the game," Massey said.

Urban Knights dominated their match from the opening quarter and quickly to ran out to a 13-point lead (32-19) at half-time. Rebels reduced the deficit to nine at the end of the third period (49-40).

However, the Knights stepped up their defence in the fourth quarter, which led to a number of crucial turnovers by their opponents down the stretch.

Omar Barnes led the way for the Knights with a game-high 15 points, and he received good support from Dave Blackwood (11) and Andrew Whilby (10 points and 14 rebounds).

Top scorers

Lynford Brown (13) and Gregg Warlock (12) were the top scorers for the Rebels.

Calvin Martin, coach of Urban Knights, said he was pleased with his team's efforts.

"It was really a very hard-fought victory for us because the (Running) Rebels really gave us a good fight tonight and they really played well," said Martin.

Things to work on

"We did enough to win this game but there are still a few things that we need to work on before the semi-finals," Martin said.

Pete Mathews, coach of the Rebels, said: "I think it was a good effort from the team and I think we tried our best."

The semi-finals will be played on Sunday at the same venue.