Bakshibazar Club warded off a spirited second-half charge from Rising Force SC to etch a narrow 43-40 victory Iri the BGIC Second Division basketball league at the Outer Stadium basketball court adjacent to the wooden-floor gymnasium yesterday.

The losers, having trailed the first half 18-25, stepped up the pressure In the second-half but fell painfully short of salvaging the match.

Tanveer caged 19 points to be the highest Individual scorer for the victors followed by Shibll with ten points. Sajjad (16) and Mujlb with 14 had the Rising Force's score rolling.

In the other match of the day. Rangers Club had a comparatively easy time against Josephites Hawks.

After leading the first half 22-18, the winners raced to a facile 43-30 margin at the end.

Liton and Shaibal scored 16 and 15 points for the winners while Johnny caged 13 for the losers.