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Lonely lions at the top; Titans beat Metros in overtime

SANTO DOMINGO. The Leones de Santo Domingo were left alone in the first position by defeating the Marineros de Puerto Plata 95-83 in a match of the regular series of the National Basketball League (LNB) held this Saturday at the Mauricio Báez Club in Villa Juana.

Los Melenudos (6-3) snapped a two-game losing streak in a row and defeated the Marineros for the second time, after a 73-72 victory in the first game in Puerto Plata.

The Mariners, on the other hand, dropped to 5-4 and saw their three-game winning streak snapped.

To take the win, the Lions survived a positive reaction from the Mariners in the fourth quarter after they won the third quarter 30-19, which was key to going out in a big way.

Kelechi Ajukwa scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Melenudos, who also had the offensive work of Juan Guerrero, with 20 points and 13 rebounds; Jayson Valdez, with 14 points and nine assists, as well as Eulis Báez, with 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists, and Manuel Fortuna with 11 points.

For the Mariners, Luis Feliz contributed 20 points, Carlton Bragg had 15, MJ Rhett contributed 12, and Bernardo Polanco scored 10.

The quarters ended 31-22, 15-24, 30-19 and 19-18 in favor of the Lions.

The first half was characterized by a fierce offensive battle from both teams both on 2-point shooting and behind the arc.

The Leones, who dominated the first quarter 31-22, shot 51 percent from the field (18-35). They did it from two points to 58 percent (10-17) and from three to 44 percent (8-18), while the Mariners shot 62 percent from the field. Two points for 58 (10-17) and three for 63 percent (7-11).

The visitors won the second half 24-15 for both teams to go into the break tied 46-46.

TITANS 114, METERS 109 (extra time)

SANTIAGO.- The Titans of the National District extended their winning streak to four by beating the Santiago Metros 114-109 in overtime, during a match of the National Basketball League (LNB) played at the Oscar Gobaira Arena.

Jassel Pérez led the scoring for the Titans (5-4) with 30 points, including 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-6 from 3-point range. Jordan Williams finished with 29 points and Richard Bautista with 25, in addition to 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks for a light blue team that won for the first time on the road (1-3).

For the Metros (4-5), who have lost two in a row and were without Adris de León due to a hamstring injury, Brandon Moss had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Miguel Dicent had 17 points and 10 assists. Terry Larrier contributed 19 points and Eloy Vargas 15 with 16 rebounds.

Williams, Bautista and Pérez came out on top in the fourth quarter and put the Titans up 89-81 with 4:44 remaining in time. At that time the partial was 19-7. The Metros got closer by 5 (88-93) with 2:39 remaining, but Bautista responded with a triple that increased the difference to 8 (96-88) with 2:32.

A reaction from the Mets led by Brandone Francis brought them within 98-100 with 13 seconds left. Moss then stole the ball and dunked it with 0:10 left. Bautista missed a shot from midfield and the game went into overtime.

Several times both teams exchanged advantages in extra time. Bautista was the one who set the tone in offense and defense, scoring 5 of the 14 that the Titans achieved in overtime. The definition was put by Williams with two free throws with 0:10, giving an advantage of five (114-109) that those from the National District never lost.

The quarters ended 23-21, 23-21, 22-32, 32-26 and 14-9 for the Titans.

games this sunday

The Reales de La Vega (4-4) will face the Indios de San Francisco de Macorís (3-5) at 6:00 in the afternoon at the Mario Ortega roof, while at 8:00 the Soles de Santo Domingo Este (5-3) will visit the Cañeros del Este (2-6) at the Leo Tavárez de Higüey.

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