Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology produced a masterful performance to outclass rivals Kumasi Polytechnic to clinch zone D of the ongoing Rexona UPAC Basketball Championship on Saturday.
Star man Ekow Emmanuel Amoako produced another textbook display in front of a hostile crowd to power his side to success.
It was a massive display from the 2016 GUSA finalist who combined efficiency with team work to silence the home crowd.
The epic clash lived up to the billing after the game was tied at 8-8 in the first quarter to signal huge optimism among the home fans.
They kept chanting and cheering for their team, who appeared to have suddenly lost their spark with captain Ernest Sowah spearheading an audacious attempt of pulling his side back into the game.
But KNUST coach Reagan Sarpong made significant substitutions to thwart and frustrate his opponent’s comeback bid.
KNUST increased the intensity of the game and showed immense scoring ability as they led 17-10 at the end of the second quarter.
Kumasi Poly resumed the third quarter in an invigorated fashion, pulling off two quick three-pointers to close the gap to half-basket.
At the moment, the home fans, who had been silent, found their voices and began to cheer their team to victory perhaps still believing a comeback trail was a real possibility.
The end of the third quarter ended with KNUST taking a commanding 31-17 lead but at that moment there was no turning back for the visitors.
They held their verve to crown an exciting day, winning 42-31 to emerge champions in their zone.
Kumasi Polytechnic coach Emmanuel Essel Worbil was left disappointed with the loss and failure to make the quarter finals. He blamed the loss on his team’s inadequate preparations prior to the tournament.
KNUST joins University of Development Studies-Tamale and University of Energy and Natural Resources as the qualified institutions for the quarter finals which will take place at the University of Ghana on April 14.
The 2016 UPAC Championship is headlined by Rexona, supported by MTN, CAL Bank and Fanyogo in partnership with Basketballghana.com, TV3, YFM and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
