THE BLACKBIRDS have really taken flight.
There’s just no beating women’s basketball’s title favourites after UWI Blackbirds coasted to Tuesday’s 60-27 rout of Warrens at the Wildey Gymnasium.
It was the fifth straight victory by double digits in as many games for last year’s losing finalists, who finished the first round with an unbeaten 5-0 record ahead of Saturday’s knockout clash against the winless Bulls.
National captain Toni Atherley led the way with 20 points, while Sade Clarke added 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Shannon Green and Ashley Rock chipped in with 15 and 13 rebounds, respectively.
Earlier, in an Under-19 tournament match, Rommel Bynoe scored ten fourth-quarter points to stage a dramatic comeback for Warriors but missed a game-tying free throw in the dying moments to allow Warrens to hold on for a last-second 74-73 win.
Brandon Hope led Warrens with a game-high 27 points, while Nicholas Grannum and Khamal Boyce added 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Shaquan Newton had 24 points for Warriors, who also got 16 points from Bynoe and 13 from Rasheed Harte.