Sports, Sports Briefs
Delta Force Women’s Basketball Club of Asaba beat Victoria Queens of Ogun 50-45 on Thursday at the ongoing Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championships.
Reports that the match was keenly contested by both teams, as Delta Force had to dig deeper to execute their win.
Delta Force took the first quarter 13-8, making use of their quick ball rotation and fast pace to torment Victoria Queens in their defence.
However, a resolute Victoria Queens woke up in the second and third quarters to contend with Delta Force’s dominance.
Victoria Queens recorded 18-11 and 13-10 in the second and third quarters of the game and were almost running away with the victory before Delta Force got back into the game.
They reorganised themselves in the final and decisive quarter to outscore Queen’s Victoria 16-6, which eventually gave them their victory.
The Head Coach of Delta Force, Benson Aikoroje, told NAN that the team played below expectation and had to under-rate Queen Victoria during the game.
“We did not play well; we under-rated Queen Victoria, being a new team in top-flight competition of this nature.
“However, we had to re-strategise and make use of our quick ball rotation and speed to outplay them in the final quarter of the match,” Aikoroje said.
Similarly, the Head Coach of Queen’s Victoria, Ottah Okechukwu, admitted that his team were inexperienced in their loss to Delta Force.
“We started well and had good dominance on the ball, but could not hold on to our lead to effect a good result at the end of the game.
“We will go back to the drawing board and train harder for future competitions; indeed, it has been a worthwhile experience for my girls, who are new to top-flight competitions.
“We really thank the organisers for extending their invitation to us; we look forward to many more competitions of this nature,” Okechukwu said.
In the same vein, in other results, Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt defeated Energy of Benin Republic 64-59.
Elan Coton of Benin Republic outclassed Lagos Legend in a low-scoring match 48-45.
The competition is being held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with 10 male teams and eight female teams competing for the championship trophy. (NAN)
30th January, 2025.
A.E
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