It has been a tough first day for Team Samoa at the American Samoa Flag Day Basketball tournament following two losses to their National Men’s’ team and U-18 Boys team last night.
The U-18 Boys team lost their first game to a thriller against the East Side All Stars team.
The game went down to the wire as they had to decide the match in overtime despite missing two last second shots that could have handed them the win in the fourth quarter.
The U-18 boys team eventually lost in the added five minutes overtime giving them a starting record of 0 - 1.
The points were 50 to 52.
The Open Men’s team though were a much different story, suffering a big defeat to their opponent, ATR.
ATR controlled most of the game even sending the lead margin to 20 points until Team Samoa picked up in the second half.
The final score was 65 to 50.
The good news is the U-18 Girls team are undefeated as they won a narrow one against the Swoosh team on Monday Night, and a blowout of the Cougars 48 to 18 last night.
The Men’s teams though are haunted with injuries to big name players in Fagaloia Vaetoe with a head injury, and Junior Luvu suffering calf muscle cramps.
Tonight the Girls team will rest as they await the outcome of the game between the Cougars and the Swoosh team to see who they face in the finals tomorrow.
The U-18 boys will face off against the Western All Stars U-18 team to decide who advances to the final of their division while the Open Men’s national team play tonight for a spot at the title tomorrow.
The best of three tournament continues tonight and will conclude tomorrow.