KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club defeated Golden Gate International Club 78-72 in the first match of the Kwiks National Basketball League playoffs here at the NSC covered hall on Sunday.

NPC, who fell three points behind after the first two quarters, bounced back after the break to get off to the winning start in the best-ofthree playoffs.

Golden Gate netted 22 points each in the closely-contested first two periods but the NPC won the third quarter 13-12 and the final quarter made all the difference as the departmental side took it 24-16.

Bikash Gurung of NPC was named the player of the match for his 23 points along with 13 rebounds.