The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LATOYA Thompson’s go ahead free throws with under two minutes left to play helped the Career Builder’s Cheetahs to fend off an upset in the lone game this weekend in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association.

The Cheetahs outlasted the Johnson’s Lady Truckers 75-73 at the DW Davis Gymnasium. Phylicia Kelly delivered a dominant performance with a game high 29 points and 13 rebounds, both game highs. Kelly shot 48 per cent from the field (10-21), 40 per cent from three (2-5) and 78 per cent (7-9) from the free throw line. Linda Pierre also finished with a double double - 12 points, 10 rebounds and a game high six blocks.

Thompson finished with eight points and five steals, Audrey Martin added eight points and six rebounds, while Kissie McDonald added eight points.

The Truckers were led by two players who finished with double doubles of their own, in Janice Williams who finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ann Bullard who totalled 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cheetahs are now third in the standings at 3-1 while the Truckers fell to 3-2.

Both teams were tied at 16 after the first quarter and pulled ahead 33-31 at the half. They took a 50-47 lead into the fourth quarter before last year’s runners up would rally and outscore the Truckers by five in the final quarter.

The Cheetahs opened the fourth on a 5-0 run to go ahead 52-50 on a layup from Kelly.

Neither team led by five in the final quarter, and Shantell Rolle gave the Truckers a 68-67 lead with 2:05 left to play.

Thompson was fouled and went to the line on the ensuing possession to put her team ahead for good.

Kelly scored or assisted on the final six points of the games for the Cheetahs as they held on for the come from behind win. She leads the league in scoring at 22.7 points per game and assists with 4.3 per game and is third in rebounds at 11.3 per game.

In the other contest, the COB Lady Caribs won by default over Dee Saints.

In tomorrow night’s action, the Cheetahs are scheduled to face the Defence Force Waves and the Saints the league leading Bommer G Operators.