Panthers and Adabraka CYO have taken respective wins in the Accra Basketball League (ABL) Men’s Division I over Ada Knights and Tudu Magic.
Panthers clinched a 62-57 win over Knights in the first game of the day played at the Prisons Court in Cantonments, Accra.
Knights troubled Panthers for long stretches in the second half preventing Panthers from extending the game’s lead beyond reach.
In the second game, last season’s Division II winners CYO beat Magic 58-54 in an exciting game Magic will rue a poor first quarter performance.
CYO took a 12-3 lead with 3:28 left in the first quarter. Adabraka got most points from Gabriel Ashaley and Steven Forster scored all of Magic’s. Magic was guilty of committing several turnovers in the quarter which ended 3-15 for CYO.
Ibrahim Mohammed opened the second quarter with five straight points off a three point shot and turnaround jumper. Forster delivered his second block on Ashaley. Samuel Ofosu scored a fastbreak layup and Mohammed scored another three pointer to close the deficit to two (15-17).
CYO got a couple of points inside the paint but a Mohammed three pointer and strong put back from Forster kept Magic in the tie trailing 24-28.
Both teams exchanged baskets but CYO maintained its lead (41-34) heading to the final quarter.
With CYO battling foul trouble, Magic drove incessantly to the basket and earned points from the free throw line. Two points from Forster made the score 41-47 against Magic.
CYO dominated the boards on in the offensive end to close the game winning 58-54 after Mohammed drained a deep buzzer beating three pointer.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
