The Indoor Stadium of Mumbai University witnessed insane scenes as the host college beat Anna University, Chennai 64-61 to win the inaugural UBAU All India Inter Zonal University Basketball Tournament 2016. This is after 25 years that, Mumbai University has managed to win a University level basketball tournament and what makes it even special is the fact that they won it at home.
Shooting Guard Samson Sandhu was the hero of the day as he continued with his seamless performance to steer Mumbai to victory in a closely contested tie. The faith of the match was unclear till the very last second of the match as Anna University missed the winning 3 pointer by a whisker.
The pattern of the match was very similar to how Anna University played in the semifinals as Mumbai dominated the initial proceedings. Both the teams started off in an offensive note with the visitors scored the first points of the match with a brilliant 3 pointer by Muin Bek. What was interesting in the first quarter and continued into the second was that both team constantly attempted to score from outside the arc.
After the first quarter ended 16-14 in favour of Mumbai, Anna University came up with the strategy of encircling the arch with their taller players. Surprisingly they did not even attempt to penetrate into arc. The intention as it seemed liked was to utilize their built to score the maximum points possible. The first half of the match ended in favour of the hosts 30-26.
The start of the third quarter again enlisted the same pattern of play as the first semi finals as all of a sudden Anna University started to dominated the proceedings. In no time AU had took the lead despite the fact that a lot of free throws were awarded to Mumbai. AU took full advantage of their height and scored of the rebounds. The third quarter ended 45-48, in favour of the visitors.
Excitement reached the next level in the final quarter as the match could have gone anyone’s way. Anna University however had the edge as they had a five-point lead in for a larger part of the quarter. Samson Sandhu here came into Mumbai’s rescue as he scored back to back baskets, including a couple of three pointers to level the scores at 60-60. What would hurt Anna University more are the free throws which they missed owing to extreme pressure.
Things turned very dramatic in the final two minutes of the game as Rohit R. intentionally fouled Samson Sandhu awarding Mumbai University two crucial free throws. And with no surprise, Samson converted it. This was the giveaway point of the match as Anna University required one three pointer to win in the last five seconds and they nearly got it, nearly.
Standing on the heroics of Samson Sandhu, who was also adjusted the best player of the tournament, Mumbai University managed to win the tournament which saw the participation of 215 university teams.
University of Madras win the third place encounter
Earlier in the day, University of Madras won the third place match beating SRM University 75-81.
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