Braves of Customs staved off another upset by delivering a decent performance to beat DC Dynamics 74-53 in the Accra Basketball League (ABL) Men’s Division I round of games played at the Prisons Court in Cantonments.
The exciting games had last season’s runners up Tema Youth win 63-54 over Holy Family and home side Reformers snatch a 72-69 win over Teshie Rangers with Point Guard Andrew Ayienab getting the crucial three point winner.
A mouth watering game it promised, manifested in every way as DC Dynamics and Braves slugged it out in the first of three scheduled games. A tentative first half which resulted in a 34-21 lead for Braves was quickly usurped by an avalanche of ingenious offensive nous from both sides.
Nii Lankai Blankson, Nana Yankah and Sena Asante starred for Dynamics in the second half but their effort ultimately was upstaged by Abdul Mutaleeb Alhasan and Baniba Dodzie’s clutch shooting.
Tema Youth offered a bit of a Braves-like performance in their matchup with Holy Family. Despite being short on bodies for the game, including Nana Owusu Afriyie and Kwame Boamah Djan, Tema was able to see of a talented but hero balling Holy Family unit. Family remains the only winless side in the division.
An intense and physical game between Reformers of Prisons and Teshie Rangers ended proceedings with Reformers piping Rangers for a vital win. Coming off a disappointing 32-58 loss to Tudu Magic in the previous round, Reformers were in no mood to lose.
Rangers on the other hand, had lost twice heading into the encounter but their quest for a win in three games was ended with a deep three pointer from Ayienab with three seconds left on the clock.
Best ranger game thus far this season.