Date:20/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/20/stories/2004072005142000.htm

Sport - Basketball

KSEB keeps title

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 19. Host KSEB retained the title in the all-India inter-electricity board basketball tournament at the Mini stadium Vydyuthi Bhavanam here on Monday. KSEB swept aside the challenge from TNEB 98-79 in the final. PSEB took the third spot after defeating BBMB 62-30.

TNEB could not sustain its early pace against the young KSEB side. TNEB ran its rival close till the end of the first quarter when it kept the lead within its reach. But the young legs of KSEB gradually made the difference as TNEB felt the heat. From 32-30, KSEB swelled the lead to 49-38 at half-time.

As match wore on, TNEB's game became foul ridden and there was no effort on the part of its players to collect the rebound, both offensive and defensive. KSEB's Bobit Mathew, Shabu Kumar and Preyesh Jacob collected points from all possible angles to maintain the pressure.

TNEB bench strength was limited and it increased the workload of Ravichandran and Shivakumar. The duo contributed half of their team points but found little help from their team-mates. KSEB sustained the momentum in the third quarter to increase its lead.

The results: Final: KSEB 98 (Preyesh Jacob 25, Shabu Kumar 22, Bobit Mathew 21) bt TNEB 79 (K.R. Ravichandran 27, K.R. Shivakumar 22).

Loser's final: PSEB 62 (Ajay Pal 18, Gurbax Singh 18) bt BBMB 30 (Kedarnath 18).