Tema Youth survived a big scare to beat Kawukudi Warriors 72-70 in the Accra Basketball League (ABL) Men’s Division earlier today at the Prisons Court in Cantonments, Accra.
In the Women’s Division matchup between Ghana Fire Service and Ghana Airforce played prior to the Men’s game, Fire easily handled Airforce and run out 44-15 winners.
Ernest Kojo Ofori’s converted three point shot proved crucial in deciding an 18-14 first quarter lead for Warriors who capitalized on turnovers and a missed dunk from Tema Youth Center Kwame Boamah Djan.
Tema Youth took a 25-20 lead with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter off a flurry of three point shots including one from Kent Fosu. Tema extended the lead to nine (29-20) before Warriors went on a 7-1 run to close the deficit to three with Obed Vorjee scoring a layup to cap the run.
Youth’s Cedric Nambi scored five straight points including a three point play and Joy Ofori added a three pointer to give Tema a 39-30 first half lead.
Both teams traded baskets but Tema held the game’s lead 50-39 with four minutes remaining on the back of four straight points from Brian Kwami.
Warriors finished the quarter on an 8-2 run with Vorjee scoring four points and Sylvester Asirifi dishing out a pass for Amos Ollenu to finish and beat the buzzer. Warriors trailed 51-61.
Youth got points from Kwami and Nambai with Warriors getting five points from Ollenu. Boamah exited the game due to foul trouble with 5:51 left. Moses Abu completed a three point play to trail 63-65.
A three point shot from Ollenu and jump shot from Vorjee put Warriors in the lead but Nambi got Tema Youth back in the game getting points from the free throw line to seal a close win.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
