ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - NS Matrix saved their best for last by beating Bishrelt Metal, 89-66, to finish their Basketball Champions League Asia-East (BCL Asia-East) 2025 campaign strongly, Sunday at the UG Arena.
Winless in their first five outings, the Deers made sure not to leave empty-handed, getting back at same team that beat them at home, 98-86, last March 25 by giving the Mongolian side a dose of their own medicine.
Coach Felton Sealy's wards took the lead for good during the second chapter behind John Murry II and Marquez Letcher before putting together a strong finish toward securing a positive conclusion to their run.
Murry flirted with a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Letcher - a hurt hip and all - finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as the 1-2 combo proved lethal for their old tormentor.
The two were responsible in pulling NS Matrix ahead, conniving for an 11-4 scoring spree to flip a three-point deficit to a 40-36 lead entering the break - a lead which they wouldnever let go of the rest of the way.
Joseph Obasa and the locals then came in to help most especially during the final frame, so much so that they unloaded a total of 32 points in a total reversal of their first meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Obasa delivered 16 points and 8 rebounds with 5 blocks in the win that saw all players chip in at least 2 points - a well-deployed attack hugely attributed to the way they shared the ball as NS Matrix had 25 assists.
"It means a lot. Five games not getting one was tough mentally, physically. This is a big step for our team. We had one more chance to prove ourselves, and we went out there and did it," offered Letcher.
Byron Wesley, on the other hand, had 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead Bishrelt Metal, who fell to their third straight loss after a rousing start to their campaign by beating, coincidentally, the Deers.
With the loss, their next two games - Group A top seed Taoyuan Pauian on Monday and Pelita Jaya on Wednesday - have become must-win situations if they are to keep their Final 4 hopes alive.
FIBA