Late sport Aranui wins close basketball contest

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 6

Late sport Aranui wins close basketball contest

The Guthrey Travel senior men’s basketball competition continued on its erratic way at Cowles Stadium last evening when United Service Aranui beat Mairehau 52-51 in a very close match.

The loss dented Malrehau’s hopes ol making the best-oi-three match final later in the season. Aranui, surprisingly beaten by Burnside on the weekend, came back to its best form last night to upset its more highly rated opponent in a thrilling contest. After leading handsomely for the first 30 minutes of the game, Aranui came within an ace of losing it as Mairehau staged a spirited revival. Aranui played the first half at a furious pace, thwarting Mairehau’s attempts to slow it down to dictate the game, and it took a deserved 29-15 lead into the second spell.

Aranui's lead came from a greater percentage of successful shots, put up largely by its tall captain, Al Campbell. Mairehau, however, missed a lot of shots and never looked to be in contention.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were very even, but with the score at 44-28 in Aranui’s favour, Mairehau swung into action.

Gordon Phillips played a leading role in the Mairehau revival and with three minutes to go his team had edged back to be within three points of its rival.

Aranui scored once in the last 60 seconds to two baskets by Mairehau to take the narrow one-point win. Mairehau’s last basket was scored to a chorus of Aranui players determined not to foul and concede the free shot that could have tied the game. Checkers continued its giantkilling form of Saturday when it downed the competition leader, Inns of the Pacific University, 73-56, in a late game.

Checkers had bounced into a 17-3 lead after 11 minutes of the game and was never headed, although University closed to be within nine points of the lead late in the second half. University’s normally accurate shooters were sadly astray last night, and this fact, coupled with the good team skills of Checkers, which was very capably led bv Carl Dickel, allowed the game to go to the underdog. Y.M.C.A. made no mistake with Burnside, shutting the youngtsers out 88-55. Y.M ( A. had too much height for Burnside, and played percentage team basketball to take the victory. With it came second outright in the competition. JaksH. 5.0.8. had the bye last night, and after Saturday’s shock loss to Checkers, it has now surrendered its second place to Y.M C A Competition points to dateUniversity 24, Y.M.CA. is', H. 5.0.8. 16, Mairehau 14, Checkers 12, Aranui 8, Burnside 4.