Samuel Cobblah proved to be the hero on the night as Leopards stunned record winners of the Accra Basketball League (ABL) Men’s Division I, Braves of Customs, by delivering a late game three pointer to give his side a 46-44 win.
In a game played earlier today at the Prisons Court in Cantonments, both teams struggled to generate consistent offense with the game filled with turnovers and botched plays.
It proved to be quite a testy and physical with tempers threatening to boil over at various points in the game. However, both teams executed better in the closing minutes to give fans gathered at the venue a proper treat.
Match Report
James Pappoe got the game’s first points for Braves. Leonard Agger scored four straight points and Leslie Kormedodah added two more points on the board for Leopards for a 6-4 lead with 3:25 minutes remaining. Jeremiah Tawiah scored off an Agger assist; Nii Kwatey scored to end Braves drought.
Hashim Brimah scored one of two free throws for Braves. Nathaniel Killian responded for Leopards with a turnaround jumper. Pappoe completed a three point play; Braves trailed 10-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Kwatey’s floater tied the game. Samuel Atiapah and Samuel Cobblah scored for Leopards. Patrick Dzogbesi scored on a fast break to put Braves up 18-16. Samuel Abbey stole the ball and assisted Mutaleeb Alhassan’s fast break layup. Abbey turned scorer to put Braves up 23-17 at half time.
Dela Kwofie assisted Abbey who cut to the basket to score a layup. Kormedodah scored four points early in the third quarter to trail 21-25 after three minutes played. Brandon Tetteh scored two free throws to close the deficit to 24-25.
Pappoe scored five straight points but Atiapah switched hands midair to lay the ball in. Baniba Dodzie scored a corner three pointer and Kwatey drove hard to basket to score a layup and put Braves up 34-27.
Cobblah and Killian scored to make score Leopards 31-34 Braves with 6:36 minutes remaining. Hashim Brimah hit a rare three pointer and Dzogbesi converted a pair of free throws. Cobblah drained a three pointer; Agger completed a three point play as Leopards trailed 37-39. Daniel Ayana extended Braves to four and Kwofie added two points from the free throw line.
Agger buried a three pointer to tie the game at 43 with 36 seconds left in the game. Cobblah then put Leopards up 44-46 with a three pointer with nine seconds left in the game. Leopards held on to secure the win.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
