The Railway Tigers have celebrated their first win into the 2009 Lucozade Sport Men's Basketball Championship by taming the Granville Wolfpack 57-49 at Montego Bay Cricket Club court on Sunday night as the fourth season tipped off.

The win sees Tigers control the top spot on the Championship ladder since the second game between last season's division 2 champion and runner up; Hopewell Vipers and Central Flames of Lucea was rained out.

Tigers started on the aggressive inside outside combinations between point-guard Anthony Christie and Caustant Holness after two minutes establishing a 7-2 lead. Wolfpack roared back behind their guard/forward Andre Uter who developed the 'hot-hand' scoring at will, stop-o-a-dime jump shots to claw back at the lead.

Things got testy after that, which saw both teams' players picking up some personal fouls. At the end of the first quarter the scores showed the Tigers with a slim four point lead over the wolves (16-12).

In the second quarter, Tigers took full control of the game, making basket after basket and the Wolves found it hard to keep the ball in their possession. You could feel the energy that the Tigers were bringing to the court, energy of a cohesive unit. Wolfpack's' Uter tried desperately to pace his troops but found it difficult to overcome Tigers' lead.

While both teams looked lethargic throughout the third 10; this highlighted their lack of intensity as they only seem like they were just going through the motions, players were just strolling to the hoop and missing easy uncontested lay-ups and fast-break opportunities.

Both Tommy Davis and Holness kept the Tigers' back line in place with some solid blocks and rebounding which converted to easy transition baskets. Wolfpack introduced Jomo Johnson into the game and he brought much needed energy, immediately drawing contact fouls and scoring from the charity stripe. While Wolfpack outscored Tigers 10-9, they still trailed by three (41-38).

In the fourth, Uter regained his scoring touch and found avenues to the hoop and other players was becoming increasingly effective in the key, pillaging Tigers on the boards. Tigers' Holness was no longer effective as he succumbed to plaguing back-spasms, but did manage to make 13 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and swatted two shots. Davis collected his first double-double of the season with 13 points and game and season high 14 boards.

Wolfpack guard-come-forward Uter (two boards, four steals) also had one of his best shooting performances game-high 19 points including 1-of-3 from long range. Johnson was the only other Wolf to hit double figures (13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists).

Next up the Tigers (16-12) will host Central Flames at 5:30pm on Saturday night, while Wolfpack will face Innercity Junior Avalanche in the second game at 7pm.