Photo: Pembroke Hall Warriors shooting guard Michael ‘MJ’ Jackson on the go for Pembroke Hall Warriors against EXED Heat at home on Tuesday night. Pembroke Hall Warriors won the game 77-68 and the series 2-1 to advance to the finals.
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Having answered the questions asked of them following the first game loss at home in the semi-finals to draw the series level, the Pembroke Hall Warriors extinguished the efforts of the EXED Heat at home on Tuesday night, to secure their spot in the final of National Integrity Action (NIA)Basketball League, with a coast to coast 77-68 win.
The Warriors started the game like a team on a mission, with an almost perfect first quarter that shaped the outcome of the match. Roger Chisholm and Michael ‘MJ’ Jackson ensured that the home team was comfortable at the end of one, as they led 27-15 against a Heat team that found the going very rough.
But the Warriors let their guards down and the visiting Heat tried to take advantage and claw their way back in the game. Despite their best efforts however, the Heat was unable to significantly dent the lead of the home team, cutting the deficit by a single point at the half time break, with the score on the clock reading 44-33 to the home team.
The third quarter provided the most drama as the home fans were given a huge scare. Coming out flat, the Warriors appeared to be coming apart at the seams as they argued among themselves. The Heat in the meantime went on a 10-0 run at the opening of the second half to cut the deficit to 44-43. The Warriors failed to score a single point in the first six minutes of the second half as they continued to argue.
Stung into action by the scoreline, the Warriors regained their composure and focused on their opponents before going on a run of their own, closing the third quarter with a ten points lead at 59-49.
The Warriors then carried the momentum into the fourth quarter when Andy Smith drained a three-pointer with first shot of the quarter. They led by as many as fourteen points, breaking the back of the Heat challenge midway the fourth quarter and they never looked back. The Warriors were able to go to their bench with three minutes left in the game and eventually finished with a nine points win.
Anthony Farquharson led the way with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Warriors, supported by 13 points and 4 rebounds by Roger Chisholm while for the Heat, Cordel Grant had 22 points and 4 rebounds and Anthony Moore had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
The 2-1 series win means the Warriors have booked a spot in the final against the Spanish Town Spartans who beat the defending champions Arnett Gardens 79-76 overtime win.
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