Golden Eagle National Invitational Basketball Championships 2013, Day 1: C. Excise, Kochi upset IOB

Indian Overseas Bank Power Forward Amjyot Singh about to dunk the ball against Central Excise, Kochi. Photo Courtesy: Tournament Organisers.

In the first match from men’s Group B, local favorites Indian Overseas Bank lost by four points in a tough outing against the Central Excise team from Kochi (63-67). The match saw some incredible lead changes at the end of each quarter.

The IOB team which opened its scoring through Pratham Singh had a one point lead at the end of the first quarter (18-17). The Central Excise team came back strongly through their guard Nikhil and forward Basil Philip and got a lead of three points by half time (34-37).

The third quarter saw IOB answer through guard Aravind and forward Sivabalan and they raked up a lead of eight points (53-45). The fourth quarter saw the visitors from Kochi mount another comeback through a couple of three pointers by Nikhil that tilted the match in their favour. Central Excise eventually won (67-63)

In the women’s match, the Eastern Railway team defeated Western Railway 74-57, after leading 37-34 at half time.

The tournament was inaugurated by M. Nandagopal, Chairman, Mohan Breweries & Distilleries P Ltd. Saidai Duraiswami, the Mayor of Corporation of Chennai presided over the inaugural function. The tournament is being conducted by the Golden Eagle Blue Star Sports Academy at the Sri J Jayalalitha Indoor Stadium, Chennai.

Results:

Central Excise, Kochi 67 (Eudrick Pereira 15, Nikhil 12, Basil Philip 10) beat IOB 63 (Pratham Singh 20, Siva Balan 13, Amjyot Singh 11)

Eastern Railway 74 (Sitamani Tudu 30, Sukrumoni Drawon 17) beat Western Railway 57 (Sona 14, Renu Maurya 13, Anamika Rai 12)