| Maharashtra pips SEC Rly, meets Tamil Nadu in final by messanger on 03 February, 2013 - 12:00 PM | ||
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 messanger | Maharashtra pips SEC Rly, meets Tamil Nadu in final on 03 February, 2013 - 12:00 PM | |
Renu Mourya collected a side-throw and sunk a two-pointer to give Maharashtra a nail-biting 71-70 victory over South East Central Railway (Bilaspur) and a place in the women’s final of the 27{+t}{+h}Federation Cup basketball championship here at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Saturday.While there is no denying the Maharashtra girls’ pugnacity and poise, it seemed like it was the tactical time-out call by coach Abdul Hameed ‘Babu’ with barely 10 seconds for the final hooter and a pep talk that seemed decisive in powering his team past the finish line.Manisha Dange was once again the scoring machine that she has been in this tournament, and with Smruthi Radhakrishnan and Anamika in full flow, Maharashtra enjoyed the lead in all the three quarters, going into the final 10 minutes.However, with Bharati Netam and the Seema Singh coming up with a flurry of points and M. Pushpa delivering a couple of long rangers, it was the Railway side that enjoyed a slender lead going into the final minute.When on the offensive, Maharashtra earned a side throw and that was when Babu called for a time-out for a word of encouragement before the final assault.When play resumed, the small-made Mourya, who had been her chirpy self till then, flicked the shot in from just inside the left 45-angle, triggering off wild celebrations even before the ball had sunk in. It was probably the most crucial basket of her career. | ||