by JUSTIN MARVILLE

DESPITE GETTING a game high 30 points from dominant six-foot, eight-inch forward/centre Andre Holder, the Colombian Emeralds International Senators (3-2), lost their second successive game in the Barbados Light and Power Under-21 Basketball Tournament, falling to the Station Hill Cavaliers 87-81 at the Barbados Community College on Sunday.

Senators actually got some offensive contributions early in the first quarter in the form of Andre Freeman, as he caused problems for the Cavs defence by attacking the paint from the right wing, forming a formidable inside-outside duo with Holder.

The pair wreaked havoc on Station Hill's interior, combining for 15 first quarter points, but they would only find themselves trading baskets with the defending champs in the period as their half court defence was found wanting at the other end.

Led by small forward Corey Howard's penetration from the wing and sharp outside shooting from Ricardo Harewood and Stefan Clarke, the Cavaliers (4-1) showed off their well balanced offensive that has been their trademark this tournament, keeping pace with their opponents in the first quarter and locking scores at 21 to end the period.

It would be their defence that would be their Achilles heel in the first half though, as Holder continued to score at will in the low blocks, sparking the Senators on a 12-2 run to open up a double digit lead at the start of the second quarter, despite Station Hill finding ways to keep Freeman out of the lane.

Major blow

The Cavs' offence would also suffer a major blow, with Clarke forced to sit out the entire period in foul trouble after picking up his third foul late in the previous quarter. But Station Hill's offence has never been reliant on one man, and when the Cavaliers appeared stagnant on the offensive end, athletic guard/forward Darren Hunte rose to the occasion on both ends of the court.

But Holder would ensure that his side would stay within reach of the Cavs, adding a further eight points in the period to his first-half tally of 15 and with Clarke returning to the bench with four fouls, the Senators managed to reduce the deficit to five, 63-58, heading into the fourth.

It wouldn't be enough to prevent Station Hill from securing a victory in the ensuing period however, as Howard picked up the slack with his front court mate watching from the side. He continued to find his way to the front of the ring, pouring in seven quick points early in the quarter to restore the Cavs' double digit lead, while the Senators failed to get Holder enough touches to start the period.

The Cavaliers blew open an 82-69 lead with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter and it was not long before the fat lady was singing very loudly, despite Holder scoring a further seven points in the period.

Scores: Cavaliers 87 (Corey Howard 19, Darren Hunte 16, Ricardo Harewood 13, Stefan Clarke and Jamai Puckerin 12 each) Senators 81(Andre Holder 30, Andre Freeman 22).