African Women's Basketball League Game Recap: Sporting vs Customs

Sporting Outplays Nigeria Customs with Flawless Scoring Display

It was the last game for day four. The Nigerian Customs got entangled in a fierce encounter against host Sporting club which counted as the third game for each team.

After a long moment of tussling, Sporting took the lead by 7 points in the fifth minute of play as Fatou Diagne found no rival in the paint. The Nigerian Customs broke the double digit barrier as they understood that they had to take the ball to the paint for a two or three point’s play, while trying to get Diagne into foul trouble. Defence was intense on both sides. Thus, first period ended 18-20 Sporting were up by 2. Destiny Pitts was the story of the first three and a half minutes in the second period. She flawlessly shot back to back threes to outscore the Customs. On the Custom side, Nkem Akaraiwe and her team mates were on the responding side as they struggled to break the full court press installed by Sporting. At half-time Sporting was up by 11 points 32-43. Destiny Pitts led the scores with 13 points and on the Custom side, Maranne Johnson with 9 pointsand 4 rebounds.

A full court press in the second half by Sporting forced the Nigerian Custom to turn the ball. These mistakes were corrected by straight baskets. The Customs seemed to have lost their game as Sporting faced a problem of choice on whom to depend on as points came for every player on the court. 46-65 at the end of the third, Sporting were up in the game. A lot of desperation shots came from the Nigerian side,denying themselves free throws, increasing fowls to send Sporting to the line. The Nigerian Customs seemed to have given up two minutes to the end of the game as they allowed easy baskets from Sporting Club. They put up a good fight yet it was insufficient to make host Sporting Club succumb. 57-96 was the score at the end of the game.

Both teams were able to get three players each in double digits. Nkem Akaraiwe 14points 3 rebounds, Maranne Johnson 13 points and 5 rebounds top performer for Customs, Olaoluwatomi Taiwo 14 points, 4 rebounds and best scorer for the Customs.

On the Sporting side, Fatou Diagne with 16 points, 11 rebounds a double-double for the Senegalese center. Destiny Pitts scored 16 points, then came an outstanding blowout for Hagar Amer who added 26 points and 11 rebounds to her tally. She finished as top scorer of the game.

The two teams will play their last group game come Friday 15^th of December against CNSS of Congo for the Customs and Kenya Port Authority for Sporting Club respectively.