Pune: Looking to book a place in the playoffs, Punjab Steelers and Haryana Gold clashed in the UBA Pro Basketball League season 3 on Friday afternoon and after a hard-fought match, Punjab Steelers emerged victors, winning 94-91.

Garry was Punjab's star player with 28 points. For Haryana Gold, Prakash was the top-scorer with 22 points.

It was a head to head battle from the start as both the sides tried to wrest the initiative and Punjab Steelers managed to take a slender lead of 23-22 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Punjab Steelers in their element and were able take a lead of 51-44, thanks to some incisive play by Garry.

At halftime, Haryana Gold had six points from turnovers while Punjab Steelers managed had one while in second chance points, Haryana Gold had five and Punjab Steelers, six.

In the third quarter, Punjab maintained their lead and Haryana Gold had to play catch-up. Punjab Steelers finished the quarter leading 74-66.

But Haryana Gold came out all guns blazing in the fourth quarter as Rajat scored some crucial points to help his team trim the lead.

Punjab kept picking up the points and with 59 seconds to play, had a lead of 89-88. A 3 pointer by Birender looked to have almost upset Punjab Steelers's plans but they were able to keep their nerves and negate Haryana Gold's late challenge.

Punjab Steelers 94 & Haryana Gold 91

Punjab Steelers 94 (Garry 28, Harmandeep 19, Tita 12) & Haryana Gold 91 (Prakash 22, Rajat 18, Himanshu 15)