University of Cape-Coast (UCC) handed city rivals Cape-Coast Polytechnic a 46-35 defeat in the opening game of the 2016 Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Basketball Championship Zone E played earlier today at UCC.
The third edition of the UPAC Championship is in Ghana’s Central regional capital Cape-Coast to determine which team qualifies out of a zone that comprises the teams mentioned above and Takoradi Polytechnic.
The game started on a jerky note as both teams took turns tossing up passes to no teammate in particular that resulted in lots of turnovers. The scrappy nature of the game endured throughout the first half as UCC made good on support from a partisan crowd who found several interesting ways to keep themselves entertained despite the low level of quality on display, to lead 17-11 at half time.
Things picked up in the second half, punctuated by the high scoring nature and improved play. However, it was the host who profited the more by making key baskets which endured they preserved the game’s lead (34-23) heading into the final quarter.
C-Poly went on a huge scoring run to whittle UCC’s lead to just four points on the back of Robert Sackey’s splendid displays in the quarter. Conversely, UCC had done enough to hold off the fight of their rivals to cruise to victory.
A win for UCC in the next game against Takoradi Polytechnic qualifies the host to the quarter finals of the competition. Cape-Coast Polytechnic will need to win its’ final game against Takoradi Polytechnic to have any chance of qualifying to the next stage of the competition.
The 2016 UPAC Championship is supported by MTN, CAL Bank and Fanyogo in partnership with Basketballghana.com, TV3, YFM and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
