CBC Championship Day 3 roundup
The Group stage of the 2014 Caribebasket (CBC Championship) tournament drew to a close after all nations played their third game of the competition. Two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, but let’s have a look how they got there.
Group A
Bahamas vs. Cuba, 77-71
After winning two consecutive games, Cuba slipped to defeat against the Bahamas and in the process lost its grip on first place in Group A. Despite the defeat, the Cubans still qualify to the next round in second place and will be joined by the Bahamas, who top the group. It was a fantastic opening quarter for the Bahamas as they shut down Cuba with a 22-9 run in the first 10 minutes. A slight improvement at both ends of the court saw Cuba cut the deficit, but the difference was still nine points as halftime. A closer second half meant the Bahamas could never rest, but Magnum Rolle paced the team to victory with 26 points.
Saint Vincent vs. Antigua, 93-92
Saint Vincent ended the CBC Championship on a high note as it collected its first win by downing Antigua. Both teams failed to progress to the semi-finals, but the game proved to be exciting and hard to call as both countries played for pride. Kyle Williams was utterly sensational for Saint Vincent as he scored nearly 40% of his team’s points by streaming in 37 while also nailing a double-double thanks to 14 boards. Saint Vincent paced through the first half to hold a 7 point lead at the long break (40-33), but Antigua won the second half to make the game extremely tight down the stretch. However, Saint Vincent held on and took the won.
Group B
US Virgin Islands vs. British Virgin Islands, 89-60
This clash between the islanders saw defending champs the US Virgin Islands brush the tournament hosts the British Virgin Islands aside. The easy 29 point victory meant the US Virgin Islands finished the group stage of the CBC Championship as the only country with a 100% record. The victory never looked in doubt against a British Virgin Island team playing in front of its home fans, while Aaron Brown paced the victory with 19 points. Both teams progress to the semi-final of the competition.
Barbados vs. Guyana, 80-69
This dead rubber Group B game saw Barbados stroll to victory over Guyana, the country’s first victory at this year’s tournament. The winners put in a huge first half that saw the team pour in 53 points to stun Guyana before they eased off in the second and cruised to the win. Neither countries will make it to the semi-final of the competition.