Basketball

Anthony January of Hanoi Buffaloes (centre) is surrounded by Danang Dragons during their VBA match on July 26 in Hà Nội. The Buffaloes win 88-69. Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — Hanoi Buffaloes easily trounced Danang Dragons 88-69 to secure their sixth win in a row at the 2023 VBA on July 26 at their home stadium, Hoàng Mai Gymnasium.

The win helped Buffaloes level the record of winning series with defending champion Saigon Heat this season.

With their recent results, the host side were considered stronger than the visitors who however opened the score first.

Nguyễn Anh Kiệt and point hunter Jermaine Marrow lifted the Dragons up with their counter attacks but the Buffaloes quickly teamed up and proved their power.

Newcomer Udun Osakue consecutively broke through the Dragons' defence to make it 11-11 while teammate Đinh Tiến Công showed good hands with three-pointers that help the hosts end the first quarter at 20-17.

University student Nguyễn Huy Hoàng of the Buffaloes made the gymnasium explosive with three successful shots in a row to make a bigger gap between the two sides.

Jairus Holder also made accurate shots to help the Dragons stay in the game.

With two minutes left in the second quarter, quiet Anthony January raised his voice successfully with four foul shots to make it 44-34 for the hosts which easily lifted it to 50-36 when the Dragons, despite their strong effort, missed all of their 12 attempts from the three-metre line.

In the third quarter, while the Buffaloes created many chances to score, the Dragons were confused to find a suitable attack plan. Six minutes into the quarter, the Buffaloes made it 60-40.

The Dragons were in bigger trouble when their star Jermaine Marrow was sent off after throwing the ball at a referee.

With no top scorer, the Dragons went down quickly. The Buffaloes led 71-49.

After the first three minutes of the last quarter, the hosts set up a safe result of 75-51, and coach Erik Rashad decided to let his key players rest.

As the clock ticked away, all 10 players on the court were Vietnamese but it was still the Buffaloes shining as Tô Ngọc Khánh, Phạm Công Minh and Đinh Toàn Quốc rotated to score.

At the same time, Anh Kiệt, Từ Dương Huy and Kaillum Đỗ took charge of the Dragons' front line. The two latter finally earned their team's two three-pointers in the last minutes, their only out of 23 attempts.

The match ended at 88-69 for the Buffaloes which place second in the ranking with nine win. Their man January was Player of the Game with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

The Dragons went home with a sad record of 10 losses out of 10 matches for a bottom position.

The next VBA match will be between Ho Chi Minh City Wings and Cantho Catfish on July 28 at the Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium. VNS