Maharashtra men come from behind to win against SC Railway

Mumbai, Jan 16 (UNI) Maharashtra came out from the dumps to record a sensational 95-92 win over South Central Railway to stay in contention for top honours in the 2nd Savio Clup-Don Bosco All India invitation basketball tournament, hosted by Don Bosco Recreation Club at Don Bosco School courts here today.

Till half time, even their ardent supporters did not give Maharashtra much of a chance, but then the rival coach blundered in benching their main scorer Mohd Islauddin in the fourth quarter.

Islauddin had notched up 30 points till the end of third quarter as SC Railway were up by 80-55. This proved to be the turning point of the tie as Maharashtra, led by Saurabh Nishar's terrific display and well supported by Varun Kharkhanis, Karna Mehta and Sadat Kharadi, attacked the offensive basket repeatedly to add 24 points while their opponents could not get a single point till then.

The SC Railway coach perhaps realised his folly and brought back Islauddin, but then Saurabh was virtually unstoppable as Maharashtra went ahead and scored a famous three point victory.

However, Maharashtra women put up very insipid display against favourites Central Railway, who thrashed them by 47 points (81-34).

The Central's star player was Indu S, who was all over the court, collecting passes and rebounds and scoring at will.

Results: Women: Central Railway 81 (Manisha Dange 21, Jiji John 20, Indu S 18, Ambily PK 12) bt Maharashtra 34 (Rashmi C 11).

Men: Maharashtra 95 (Varun Karkhanis 27, Karna Mehta 18, Sadar Kharadi 19, Saurabh Nioshar 14) bt South Central Railway 92 (Md Islauddin 36, Kumara Verma 17).

Kerala 113 (Hareesh R 32, Babhilash 10, Majoj R 11, Jijobi Vakkachan 18, Arun P S 13, Bobit Masthew 10) bt SC Railway 90 (Md Islauddin 36, Nihal Yadav 11, Murli Krishna 10, Kumar Verma 16).

UNI