Mykal Jenkins with the midrange shot. Nha Trang Dolphins gets first win of season. — Photo courtesy of VBA

By Xuân Đăng

HCM CITY — The Nha Trang Dolphins got their first win of the VBA 2024 season and reached the team's point record against the Hanoi Buffaloes in a 113-81 victory at Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium.

Before the match, Dolphin fans were worried because the runner-up of VBA 2023 had not won any matches. On the contrary, their opponent, the team representing the capital, was unbeaten with two wins.

But it was the Dolphins who started the game better than the visitors.

The Dolphins played well on both ends of the court. At their own basket, the home team played good defense as they put pressure on the visitors' shooters.

At the opponent's basket, thanks to Joe Mvuezolo's three-pointers, the Dolphins opened up a 16-point lead at 28-12 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Mvuezolo's continued to be impressive from the three-point line. Mykal Jenkins and Dominique Tham also dominated the paint.

On the other hand, the Buffaloes relied on the duo Devin Peterson and Hassan Thomas. Coach Erik Rashad and his team closed the first half behind by 22 point at 52-30.

After the break, the key players of the Dolphins played even better. Not only that, the inspiration of the core players spread to the home team's local players such as Vĩnh Quang, Thanh Tâm and Huy Hoàn.

The Dolphins led 86-56 after the third quarter.

The Buffaloes could do nothing else in the last quarter, when Coach Rashad replaced his starting five and accepted the first defeat of the season.

The Dolphins ended the match with the highest point total this season. This is also the third highest number of points that a team in the VBA has scored throughout the history of the league, behind the Cần Thơ Catfish with 131 points (in 2019) and the Buffaloes with 115 points (in 2023).

Mykal Jenkins was named the Player of the Game with 39 points and 19 rebounds.

“I feel great about this first win. Everyone on the team has been working really hard," Jenkins said.

"The more time we have played and practiced, the more we understand our roles on the court and perform better,” said Coach Mvuezolo.

To buy VBA 2024 tickets, click here. — VNS