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It was just too good to be true.
Burger King Clapham Bulls ended the Co-operators General Insurance BABA Premier League regular season in emphatic fashion by stunning the previously undefeated Pinelands 86-84 over the weekend.
Not even a monster 42-point performance from Rasheed Maynard could save his side from defeat, as their record dropped to 13-1.
The win was also a crucial one for the Bulls (10-4) as it propelled them past C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics (9-5) to the number three seed in the playoffs and avoided a first-round matchup against Pinelands.
Pinelands were without much of their firepower in Deroni Hurley and Kiserian Adams along with the experienced Jeremy Gill.
At the end of the first quarter, Bulls led 18-13 and they extended that advantage to 16 points (39-23) at the half.
However, in the third quarter, Maynard caught fire.
With the normally dependable Derion Hurley having a poor shooting night, Maynard carried the team’s offensive load to reduce the deficit to eight (63-55) at the end of the period.
A 19-10 run by Pinelands to start the fourth quarter put them ahead 74-73 and a comeback win seemed on the cards.
Bulls fought back, however, to regain the lead and in the final seconds with them holding an 82-78 lead, Akeem Marsh fouled Maynard on a three-pointer, who stepped up and scored all three free-throws to bring his team within one (82-81) with 30 seconds remaining.
Clapham’s Simeon Maynard was fouled on the next possession, and he also held his nerve to score two free throws (84-81).
The cheers from the Pinelands fans erupted in the Wildey Gymnasium as Kadeem “Eyes” Brathwaite replied with a three to tie the game, 84-84 with 20 seconds on the clock.
But Marsh made up for his earlier mistake by scoring his two free throws after he was fouled attempting a layup.
Pinelands’ Rachad Hall had one final effort but he missed his game-tying layup.
Bulls will look to take that momentum into the semis next week as they face the Fusionz Boutique Station Hill Cavaliers while Celtics will play the Pine.
For the winners, Simeon Maynard had a team high 22 points, while Marsh had 21 points with 19 rebounds. Andrew Ifill and Rahiim Gibbons had 12 each in the game, with Kemar Benn adding 11 points.
For Pinelands Hall and Brathwaite both added 15 points in the loss.
Earlier, Celtics ran over A&C Security Services Spartans 82-55.
Theo Greenidge top scored with 19 points, Joel Hunte had 13 and Jonathan Fitt scored 11 points. (AS)
