KARACHI, April 6: Defending champions Army rounded off their group matches on a winning note when they humbled Habib Bank 77-53 to top pool ‘A’ in the Inter departmental basketball championship at the National Sports Training and Coaching Centre (NSTCC) on Thursday.

The soldiers finished with a clean slate to cruise into three-day super league that features four teams. There is a three-way tie for the second slot between PAF, POF and Wapda and the picture would only become clear after the last two matches of the day.

Railways, runners up of the last edition, whipped KESC 77-55 to propel into the next stage with an unbeaten record in the other group. They are followed by Police.

Two matches are to be played daily over the next three days and the team securing highest points will emerge champion.

The soldiers dictated terms against the bankers’ right from the word go and enjoyed 42-27 lead at the breather.

Pervaiz Hussain played vital role in his team’s triumph with a magnificent 31 points. Mir Alam delighted with his four three pointers in his tally of 14 while Waheed contributed 11.

Zahid Mahmood top scored for bankers with 18 points. He was followed by Adnan Khan and M. Ashraf with 10 and 8 points.

The bankers failed to exhibit their true form throughout the event so far which resulted in their exit.

Of the five games, they could only win two against PAF and Rangers and lost the remaining to Wapda, POF and Army.

Railways had a firm control on the match against KESC. After leading 41-38 at the break, the winners enhanced their lead winning the battle 77-55 with ease.

The trio of Azher Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Allah Bux penetrated into the KESC defence time and again and capitalized their moves.

Azher excelled with his shooting contributing 27 points. Nawaz and Allah Bux scored 17 and 15.

Javed Khan and Wasimur Rehman scored 15 and 11 for the losers.

In an earlier match of less importance Navy inflicted 56-49 defeat on HEC after leading 34-23 at half time.

Nazakat was top scorer for sailors with a tally of 18 points. Naved scored 15 points. Sameer contributed 17 points for HEC.