Ben Cheng made only one of four free throws to, just, tie the game.

Down by one with 10 seconds left, Tigers centre Ben Cheng missed both fouls shots but got his own miss and was fouled again with 2 seconds left. He split the pair as the game was tied when time expire. Tigers went on to score 10 points in the extra period and outlasted Challengers in a 46:38 victory and improved to 2-1. Meanwhile Challengers dropped three-straight games this season and was the only other win-less team with Wild Beasts in the FLIGHT Division.

Ray Chan scored four of his eight points in overtime and defended the rim with Terence Chan, allowed only one Challenger basket in the span. With starting centre fouled out already and Tun Heung, another key reserve followed with five fouls, Challengers could not stay in the game.

Tigers scored quick on tip off, when Ken Leung dished to Benny Wong for the game’s first two points. Tung Heung scored four points only to take back the lead for Challengers before Benny swished a three off a pass from Edward Fong. After Benny made a pair of free throws, Terence Chan came off the bench and score an layup as Tigers took a 4-point lead into the 2nd period.

Tigers had a 9-point advantage after Edward made two foul shots and things were looking fine to them, until they notice the cushion did not last.

Bryant Chan scored five points including one trey, Stenphen Tsang and Yu Yin Hon added two each as Challengers used a 9-0 spurt to finished the first half, when Tigers still lead 20-18.

Tigers, who were without their starting centre Chi Wing Chow, were not too up to the size from Challengers and when Ben Cheng got his third foul early in the third period, Challengers took advantage. Yu Yin Hon scored three points, Yin Ho added two and Challengers took a three-point lead.

Edward tied the game at 23-all with a three-point shot before Stephen Tsang swished for two. Dennis Chan then hit an amazing layup that hit the lower front of the rim but still rolled in to tie the game again. Benny made a jumper and Ray scored two, Tigers were still up 29-27 in three periods.

Danny Ho made two treys in the third period and took a one-point lead. He added a free throw only before seeing the game was tied again by two straight free throws from Ben Cheng, who was only 1 for 4 before that point.

Ben Cheng added one more free throw to take a 35-34 lead. But he missed the next and Challengers grabbed the rebound, throw to Bryant Chan in the front court, who face fellow work-mate Edward one-on-one.

Edward gambled on stealing the ball but both he and Bryant failed to tip the ball, just Bryant was able to catch it when he lands and went on for a layup to lead 36-35 with less than 20 seconds left.

Benny Wong scored in double-figures in two straight games for the first time in 31 games. Ken Leung made both free throws but missed all eight attempts from the floor.

SOUTHORN Tigers hit seven of nine free throws in the first half, but finished only 14-28 overall. Ben Cheng had all twelve attempts at the line in the 4th and extra period. He made only 5 on 12 but also the one that sent this game to overtime.

While Yu Yin Hon had a league record with 17 boards before fouled out, three Tigers had double-figures rebounding from Terence (12), Ray (11) and Ben Cheng (10). No other players recorded more than five rebounds except Edward Fong grabbed 7. Tigers lead a 47-37 rebound advantage including 20-15 at the offensive end.

Challengers had 25 bench points, but only two starters scored for a combined 13 points. Everytigers scored.

It was only the seventh games in league the league that goes into overtime. SOUTHORN Tigers were in three of them and has lost both before (to GRIZZ and T-REX).