THE University of Guyana were able to make crucial plays in the closing minutes of their championship clash against the previously unbeaten Government Technical Institute (GTI) to win the first-ever Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Tertiary Basketball League.

Playing in front of an almost full Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, on Sunday evening, the university team held their nerves for a three-point win 69-66.

Shaquawn Gill, who walked away with the Fireside Grill and Suites MVP trophy and a pair of sneakers, finished with a double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds), for an overall tournament average of 25.6 points, and 12.4 rebounds.

However, he got much-needed help in the final from the talented Timothy Richmond 17 points, 10 rebounds, Thariq Duncan 12 points, eight rebounds and Craig Harlequin eight points and 15 rebounds.

For GTI, Royon Shortt top-scored with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds, but missed seven critical free throws down the stretch.

Josiah Roberts had 17 points, including five threes, and Kobe Tappin finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

In the third-place game, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute edged past the Linden Technical Institute 67-66 to take some hardware back to the Ancient County.

Charles Williams led the attack with 21 points, and eight rebounds, Kadeem Dover supported with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Qwesi Joseph with nine points, and 11 rebounds.

For LTI, Shamar Savory finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Jemol Semple with 18 points, and Gaius George with 14 points.

Following the game, Minister Charles Ramson Jr congratulated the teams for their effort and also the organisers for the successful staging of the inaugural Tertiary Basketball League.

He along with the Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle then presented the first and second place awards.

The third-place award was presented by Edward B. Beharry and Company brand Manager, Malisa Jeffers.

The Tertiary Basketball League was sponsored by the National Sports Commission, ExxonMobil, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, Fireside Grill and Suites, and Banks DIH Ltd.