LUDHIANA, January 28: Defending champions Tamil Nadu had to take out everything they had in stock to end with a respectable win against the strong Uttar Pradesh squad (71-54), while hosts Punjab easily thrashed West Bengal 97-37 in the opening league matches at the 48th National Basketball Championship here this evening.Another strong team in Groub `B', Bihar, who were runners-up in the last National Games at Bangalore, subdued Andhra Pradesh 85-56.
The women's matches all one-sided affairs in which the champions for the past nine years, Railways crushed Chandigarh 95-19.
The day was good also for the hosts as the Punjab women thrashed Haryana 63-13.
RESULTS
MEN: Punjab bt West Bengal 97-37; Bihar bt Andhra Pradesh 85-56; (both Pool B); Tamil Nadu bt Uttar Pradesh 71-60 (Pool A)
Women: Railways bt Chandigarh 95-19 (Pool A); Punjab bt Haryana 63-13 (Pool C)
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
