Bears take 2-0 lead in series against Carolina

The Manatí Bears scored five unanswered points to close out the third quarter and went on to beat the Carolina Giants 99-94 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the National Superior Basketball Championship series A semifinals.

By The Star Staff

The Manatí Bears defeated the Carolina Giants 99-94 on Sunday and took a 2-0 lead in the National Superior Basketball Championship series A semifinal game at Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu Coliseum in Manatí.

A 5-0 spurt by the host team at the end of the third quarter proved to be the difference in the game.

With the Bears leading 66-64, Noris Cole connected on a mid-range jumper, followed by a 3-pointer from deep by Aurey Dawkins that extended the lead to 71-64 and Manatí never looked back en route to a 99-94 win.

The Bears had five players in double figures, led by Dawkins and Alexander Morales with 18 points each, followed by Coles and Ethan Thompson, both with 17, and Isaac Sosa with 16 points.

Brandon Goodwin scored 29 points with seven rebounds and nine assists for Carolina. Scottie James and Alexander Franklin added 16 points and 15 points, respectively, and Julian Toores scored 16 points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.