A resurgent Delhi Capitals shocked Harayana Gold by beating them 74-70 in the UBA Pro Basketball League match being played at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Friday. After three successive wins, this is the first loss for Haryana Gold, who will now have to wait longer to qualify for semifinals. Riding high on confidence from their last match victory,
Delhi Capitals were off to a strong start with Arshdeep Singh and Yudhvir scoring three-pointers. However, Haryana Gold bounced back with Himanshu and Birender scoring for the side. Delhi Capitals remained even at 17-17 at end of first quarter.
Though Haryana Gold started the second-half proceedings with a three-pointer, Delhi Capitals responded with two such shots. Bunty and Yudhvir were stars of the day for Delhi.
Haryana Gold players failed miserably in passing the ball cleanly through the second and third quarters. Lapses from the opponents also helped Delhi Capitals remain five points ahead at 55-50 at end of third quarter.
With Birender and Rakesh playing in tandem, Haryana Gold looked a better side at the start of the final quarter and half-time into it both side were tied at 57-57.
Both sides looked even in the final five minutes of the game. Under pressure in this must win game for Delhi Capitals, Sachin scored a three-pointer to ensure his side won 74-70.
The Results
Delhi Capitals 74 (Pravin 18, Aaditya Raj 15, Yudhvir 14, Rachit 14) bt Haryana Gold 70 (Rakesh 20, Birender Singh 17, Vikas 15)
Punjab Steelers 100 (Ravi Bharadwaj 27, Sartaj Sandhu 23, Gurwinder 15) bt Mumbai Challengers 83 (Karan Pal Singh 40, Arif Mohammed 18).
