Navy Warriors have sealed a 59-46 win over contender Junior Rangers in a crunch tie in the Accra Basketball League.
The win over Rangers extends Navy’s winning run in the division to eight games while inching the side close to booking a place in the elite division next season.
With Panthers losing its final game of the season 66-67 to Junior Reformers in the opening game of the round, Warriors need a win in its final leage game to qualify from the division.
However, the game began in a not so pleasant way as Navy headed into the second quarter leading 11-6 after a scrappy first quarter.
Michael Sarkor scored a layup early in the second quarter off a beautiful crossover and drive.
With 3:13 remaining in the game score tied at 15, both teams traded baskets to end up tied again at 17 with 2:19 minutes left in quarter. Richard Tetteh and Emmanuel Ocquaye traded buckets in the final seconds with Navy leading 27-21.
Rangers was guilty of missing several chances from the free throw line while Navy paid close attention Rangers scoring Center Ocquaye.
Ransford Sowah drove beautifully to the paint and dropped the ball off for Ocquaye to score easy layup and begin proceedings in the second half. Ocquaye scored a nice finger roll layup after getting double teamed on the baseline and followed it up with a three point shot as Rangers trailed 29-33.
Navy went on a five point run with Center Mando and Point Guard Obed Vorjee scoring to give team a 38-29 lead with 3:12 remaining. Isaac Akpalu delivered a three point shot for Rangers but Warriors responded with Vorjee faking a pass and scoring layup.
Ocquaye scored jump shot in the final seconds after grabbing offensive rebound for Rangers as his team trailed 34-42.
Vorjee delivered two straight three pointers to give Navy a 48-34 lead in final quarter. Akpalu ends Navy eight point run with fastbreak layup.
Mando delivered two blocks during the run including one on Cecil Arthur. Guard Sowah scored two driving layups and Ocquaye added another as Rangers threatened to comeback.
Michael Sarkor delivered the assist of the game with a beautiful wrap up around pass for Mando to score an uncontested layup. Mando scored again to close out the contest with a 59-46.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
