Kathmandu: Times Basketball Club opened their Himalayan Java Basketball League (HJBL) campaign with a dramatic 76-71 victory over Golden Gate Basketball Club in a closely contested match at the Kirtipur covered hall on Sunday.

The fate of the match, marked by momentum swings and standout individual performances, was scripted in the fourth quarter after a dominant display by Times.

Times made a commanding start securing a 21-11 lead in the first quarter. Golden Gate responded in the second quarter outscoring Times 24-13 to head into halftime with a slim 35-34 advantage.

The third quarter remained tightly contested, with both teams adding 16 points apiece maintaining Golden Gate’s one point edge heading into the final quarter. But Times surged in the fourth quarter scoring 26-20 and clinched the victory.

Sadish Pradhan, who played an influential role in Times’ comeback, was named the most-valuable-player.