The New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) Playoffs continued over the weekend at the Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium, with the association hosting a double-header, featuring games in both Division I and II.
In the opener, the CARO Contractors Resistance edged the Aliv Buckets 100-98 to take a 1-0 lead in the Division II semifinal series, while the P.J. Stingers torched the CARO Contractors Pirates 101-78 to win the Division I quarterfinal matchup 2-1.
The Stingers now move on to play the Commonwealth Bank Giants in a best-of-five semifinal.
Resistance 100, Buckets 98
Quemah Gibson had 35 points to lead the way for the Resistance.
He also had nine rebounds and four assists in the win. Matthew Davis had 25 points and Kamal Murphy had 17 points and seven assists in the win.
The Resistance managed to pull off the win despite being outrebounded 53-38 and turning the ball over 14 times.
Davis made a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining to put the Resistance ahead by two points, 100-98. James Rolle got fouled on the following possession, but missed both free throws, and the Resistance came away with the rebound. Rashad Ingraham had 29 points and 15 rebounds for Aliv.
Stingers 101, Pirates 78
After leading by just five points after the first quarter, the Stingers outscored the Pirates 33-20, and held on to the lead the remainder of the game.
The Pirates struggled mightily from long distance, going just 5-for-27 from behind the three-point line. Ball movement was a key factor in the win for the Stingers.
The team finished with 23 assists, compared to 11 for the Pirates.
The Stingers defense also forced CARO’s offense to commit 11 turnovers, six of which came in the second quarter alone. Mark Hanna had 21 points to pace the Stingers, while Scottie Farrington had 18 for the Pirates.
