Santurce moves on to BSNF semifinals

Aisha Sheppard led the Gigantes with 25 points, scoring eight of them in overtime.

Carolina wins in OT to force 3rd game against Manatí

By THE STAR STAFF

The Cangrejeras of Santurce sealed their place in the semifinal round of the Women’s National Superior Basketball (BSNF) Championship tournament on Monday night, while the Gigantes of Carolina extended their series against the Atenienses of Manatí with an overtime victory that set up a deciding third game.

At Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz, the Cangrejeras eliminated the host Monarcas, 84-65, completing a two-game sweep of the A series. Santurce, the reigning BSNF champion and leader of the regular season with a 14-4 record, thus became the first team to qualify for the Final Four.

Shae Kelley led the Cangrejeras with 21 points, Kamaria McDaniel had 15 points and Nairimar Vargas added 11.

Tess Amundsen scored 22 points to lead Juana Díaz, and Imani McGee had a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Meanwhile, at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina, the Gigantes held on to avoid elimination and defeat Manatí 80-74, forcing a winner-take-all third game in Series D, which will be held tonight at Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum in Arecibo.

The Giants led 61-48 in the fourth quarter after a triple by Aisha Sheppard, but Manatí responded with an 18-5 run that tied the score at 66 and sent the game into overtime. In the extra period, Sheppard sealed the victory, scoring eight of her team’s 14 points.

Sheppard finished with 25 points, Charity Harris added 18 points, Kiara Leslie scored 16 points, and Teana Muldrow added 11.

Kaela Hilaire led the Atenienses with 18 points, Chelsea Mitchell scored 15 points, and India Pagán, Jessica Jackson and Kiki Jefferson netted 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The quarterfinals were to continue Tuesday night with a pair of deciding games. The Ganaderas of Hatillo (1-1) were to visit the Explosivas of Moca (1-1), and the Criollas of Caguas (1-1) were on the road to face the Pollitas of Isabela (1-1).