The Spintex Knights extended their flawless run in the Accra Basketball League Men’s Division 1 season, securing a hard-fought 49-45 victory against the reigning champions, the Braves of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The pulsating clash took place on Saturday night at the Prison’s Basketball Court, captivating the crowd with its end-to-end action.
In the initial stages, the Braves showcased their dominance, utilizing their size advantage to control the boards and employing suffocating rim protection to stifle the Knights’ offence. As a result, they gained the upper hand during the first half of the game.
However, the Knights’ star players, namely James Amoto, Frederick Asante, and Elvis Pobi Siaw, discovered their rhythm in the second half, staging a remarkable comeback during the pivotal third quarter. The trio’s impressive efforts ranging from long-range shooting and converting their free throwshelped the Knights overturn the deficit and seize control of the contest.
Throughout the match, both benches expressed their dissatisfaction with the officiating, voicing their grievances about the quality of the calls made by the referees. Nevertheless, it was the Knights who ultimately emerged victorious, their resilience and determination shining through.
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown of the game showcased the closely contested nature of the encounter. In the opening quarter, the Knights secured a narrow 13-12 lead over the Braves. However, the Braves managed to regain momentum in the second quarter, holding a slim 27-25 advantage at halftime.
The Knights’ resurgence began in the third quarter, where they outscored the Braves, amassing 14 points to their opponents’ 10. This surge allowed the Knights to take a 39-37 lead heading into the final quarter, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Both teams fought tooth and nail in the fourth quarter, displaying tremendous resilience and determination. However, it was the Knights who showcased greater composure down the stretch, edging out the Braves with a final score of 49-45. The Knights’ ability to execute under pressure proved pivotal in securing their victory.
Following the intense matchup, Ismaila Salisu, the Assistant Coach of the Braves, refused to attribute the loss solely to the officiating, acknowledging that the team’s high number of turnovers played a significant role. Despite suffering two defeats against the Knights in the regular season, Salisu expressed optimism about the Braves’ chances of advancing to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Selorm Thomas, the Coach of the Knights, commended his team for their impressive fightback, hailing the contest as their toughest challenge thus far. Thomas credited his vast coaching experience, accumulated over the years, for guiding the Knights to victory following their lacklustre start.
With this hard-fought win, the Spintex Knights solidify their position as the runaway leaders of the Accra Basketball League Men’s Division 1, maintaining their perfect record and leaving their competitors in awe of their remarkable form.
Source: Graphiconline
