PALAKKAD, Nov 4: Tisco, Jamshedpur took out all arms from their arsenal. But twice champions Punjab Police, inspired by the brilliance of Parminder Singh (Sr), Gagnesh Kumar and Lakhwinder, came from behind to win the 14th Federation Cup basketball championship at the Fort Maidan here this evening. Punjab cops won 50-44.

Indian Railways eves, already assured of the title with their third consecutive victory against Kerala on Sunday, completed the formalities, at the expense of West Bengal in a lop-sided match. The final score was 66-21 (HT 376-13).

In an exciting battle which was hit by rain, just five minutes from close, Kerala women overcame West Bengal 57-46. The winners trailed 18-24 at the interval.

With this win, the hosts finished second. Andhra Pradesh were third (with two wins and two defeats), Bengal, fourth (with just a win and three defeats) and the winless MP finished at the bottom.

ARMY THIRD: Army men beat Vijaya Bank, Bangalore in the losers final, 52-45. Phool Singh (16) and Thampy (12) were the main scorers for the winners. For Vijaya Bank, Stalin (16) was the top scorer.

Brief scores: Men's final: Punjab Police 50 bt Tisco 44.

Women: Kerala 57 bt West Bengal 46.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.