Spirited Mumbai Challengers fight back in overtime to hand Haryana Gold their fourth loss

Mumbai Challengers overcome a spirited effort by Haryana Gold in overtime as they race away to a 106-103 win.

Mumbai stared off with a lineup of Inderbir Gill, Alex Scales, Jagdeep Bains, Jimmy Scroggins and Nikhil. They faced Haryana’s Prakash Mishra, Jaskaran, Birender, De’Sean Mattox and Eban Hyams. Haryana were without Yadwinder Singh, who missed the game owing to a family emergency.

Indian star actress Kajal Aggarwal was in attendance for the game. Speaking of the UBA, she said “I think it’s great that we have different options in sports in India as it makes it very interesting for the youth to choose their passion.”

Prakash started things off for Haryana with a long two. He then assisted Jaskaran for another two. Haryana looked to capitalize on the size of Jaskaran and Akashdeep to start off the game. Mumbai answered in the open court as the teams exchanged buckets. Mumbai led Haryana 19-18 to end the first quarter.

Mumbai are most threatening in the open court and Inderbir and Scroggins put Haryana on notice with their pace in the second quarter. Prakash’s free throw line jumper gave Haryana the lead as they went on a 12-4 run. Alex Scales had a powerful dunk in traffic to stall Haryana and Mumbai found themselves leading Haryana 45-44 at halftime.

The third quarter opened with Mattox and Scales exchanging buckets. Haryana took a 62-57 lead fuelled by tenacious defence, prompting Mumbai to call a timeout. Haryana managed to hold on to an 8 point lead as they led Mumbai 76-68 at the end of the third.

Mumbai started the fourth quarter looking to run as Inderbir and Scroggins connected in the open court. Haryana capitalized all game on nifty backdoor cuts as Eban added two to give Haryana an 80-72 lead. Alex Scales hit a clutch jumpshot over Akashdeep to give Mumbai a 93-90 lead with 24 seconds left. The game seemed over but Mattox had other ideas as he hit a clutch three pointer to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 93.

Jaskaran opened overtime with a tip in and Scales responded with an and-one conversion. Jaskaran added two free throws to give Haryana a one point lead which was quickly snatched back Scales. Mattox tied the game at 103 with a layup as Mumbai gave the ball to Jagdeep and cleared out. Jagdeep calmly spun into the lane for the game winner as Mumbai came out with a 106-103 win over Haryana in overtime.

Players of the game: Alex Scales (International) Prasanna Venkatesh (Indian)

Mumbai Challengers (Alex Scales 40 pts, Jimmy Scroggins 19 pts, Inderbir Gill 18 pts) bt Haryana Gold 106-103 (DeSean Mattox 32 pts, Akashdeep Hazra 18 pts, Jaskaran 13 pts)