Kathmandu, June 3

Samriddhi Gorillas registered their third consecutive victory and Nepal Police Club recorded their second win in the women’s section matches of the Expert Nepal Basketball League today.

Gorillas defeated Saipal Academy 40-22 in a low-scoring match at the Times International College courts riding on 12 points from Alin Gurung. Gorillas struggled in the first two quarters, while Saipal failed to score in double figures in all four periods.

Gorillas opened with a 9-7 lead before Saipal hit back to take a three-point cushion after winning the second quarter 9-4.

Gorillas then netted 10 points in the third quarter and restricted Saipal to just two points. Gorillas scored 17 points in the final quarter, while Saipal managed four points. Player-of-the-match Gurung also had 14 rebounds and two each blocks and assists in the match.

In another match, NPC beat ISO Kite 76-63. Anusha Malla of NPC — who netted 21 points along with six each rebounds and assists — won the player-ofthe-match award. NPC netted 20 points each in the first two quarters restricting Kite to 11 and 14 respectively. NPC won the third period 19-16 before Kite took the final quarter 22-17.

After the day’s matches, Gorillas lead the table with six points, one more than second-placed NPC. Saipal and Kite have two points each. A total of four teams are taking part in the double round robin league.

In men’s section, Times International Club (26) and Tribhuvan Army Club (25) have already secured playoffs berths, while three teams — Budhanilkantha Municipality Basketball Club (21), NPC (20) and Golden Gate (20) — will fight for the two remaining spots.