Kwara Falcons made up with a bit of struggle to eventually overcome struggling Ebun Comets 81-57 points on Saturday in a Kwese Basketball Premier league encounter.
The match was played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara Stadium, Ilorin, in a game which saw the host behind (29-35) at the break.
Mojuba Oyeleye led the way with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. The trio of Mustapha Oyebanji (18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists) , Anaiye Johnson (12 points and 4 steals) and Chinedu Chimbuo (10 points and 8 rebounds) also finished with double digits.
The host were made to battle their way from start to finish as they failed to build a dominant lead like they did in their last two games against a well determined Comets side
Ebun Comets, led by Bolaji Emilagba, had a game high 23 points; Odufuwa Kanyi made 10 points and 5 rebounds while Yusuf Yusuf added 10 points and 4 rebounds to go with it.
The opening quarter saw the game tied 18-18 before Comets dominated the second quarter but a crucial 19-0 spurt at the start of the third quarter put the host ahead 64-40 going into the last quarter.
Falcons completed 9/18 from the arc and 48.8 percent from two points while Comets had 15/19 from free throws.
The result ensured the Ilorin side maintained their winning streak and will now play six consecutive away games starting with a trip to Asaba on Thursday against Delta Force.
Lateef Erinfolami, Falcons Coach, while speaking after the game, who said his side was complacent, was full of praises for the visitors.
“I think we started very slow probably because they were much younger than us; they had a particular player who was quite exceptional in the opening two quarters but after the team talk at the break, we were able to turn it around, ” Erinfolami said.
His Ebun Comets counterpart, Coach Ayo Bakare, admitted experience played a vital part at the end of the game.
“We lost the game because they were much more experienced than us, the game is all about stretches and we couldn’t hold on against the better side, ” Bakare said. (NAN)
