JCA Kings survived a fierce Spintex Knights comeback to secure an 89-84 victory in the Road to BAL 2027 Elite16. Trevon Duval starred with 18 points as the Ivorian hosts claimed their second consecutive group-stage win.
Last Updated on
November 11, 2026
Home side JCA Kings led by 17 points in the second quarter, and Spintex Knights cut the gap to two with just over two minutes left, but the hosts found the answers they needed and won 89-84 in front of the home town faithful at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan.
JCA led for 37 minutes and 43 seconds. Spintex’s only lead was a brief 6-4 advantage early in the first quarter, lasting just 24 seconds. The lead changed hands only twice. Despite holding a 12-point cushion entering the fourth quarter, JCA saw their lead shrink to one possession before regaining control.
JCA took control early, outscoring Spintex 24-8 over the final seven minutes of the first quarter to lead 30-14, capitalising on Spintex’s errors. Aboubakr Gbane’s steals led to fast breaks, Mohamed Keita completed a fast-break dunk, and Pape Djiby Boye added a transition layup as the lead surpassed ten. By the timeout, at 18-8, JCA had established momentum.
Trevon Duval, the American guard, led JCA with 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. JCA outscored Spintex by 15 during his 23 minutes on the court. Ben Mohamed Konate added 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting, all in the paint, along with five rebounds and three steals.
Spintex won the second quarter 28-23 but still trailed 53-42 at halftime. JCA’s largest lead came early in the period, when a second-chance basket from Sydney Hawmmond made it 36-19.
James Amotoe kept Spintex competitive, scoring 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 9-of-12 inside the arc, along with six rebounds and five assists. His efficiency rating of 31 was the highest of the night, with much of his scoring coming through contact. Justin Uwitonze contributed 16 points off the bench, including four three-pointers, and Malik Temple added 15. Benjamin Ashitei and Emmanuel Umoffia collected nine and eight rebounds, respectively, as Spintex maintained an edge inside.
JCA then took the third quarter 23-22 and went into the last ten minutes leading 76-64. Spintex had briefly trimmed the deficit to five at 52-57, but Boye answered with a three.
The final quarter belonged to the Ghanaians as Spintex edged it by seven points to close out with a 20-13 win. A 12-2 run, built on baskets from Umoffia and Tidiane Ndiaye and two trips to the line for Amotoe, got them to 83-85 when Amotoe converted a layup with 2:20 to play.
Sensing a comeback, JCA responded immediately: Konate hit a floater at the two-minute mark, and after Amotoe’s free throw made it 87-84 with 1:46 left, Duval drove for a dunk 14 seconds later to restore the five-point lead. Afterwards, Spintex failed to score again.
Gbane was disruptive on defence, recording five steals, 13 points (including three of five from three-point range), and five rebounds. Samba Fall contributed 14 points and four assists, while Hawmmond was perfect from two-point range, going 5-for-5 for 12 points.
Ball security proved decisive. Spintex committed 22 turnovers to JCA’s 14, leading to 32 points for the hosts compared to 13 for Spintex. JCA recorded 13 steals to Spintex’s eight, with Ibrahima Ndiaye responsible for five turnovers. This contributed to JCA’s 48-36 advantage in the paint, a 23-19 edge on fast breaks, and a 25-17 lead in assists. Spintex won the rebounding battle 48-39, including 20 offensive rebounds, and scored 25 second-chance points to JCA’s 11. However, those efforts couldn’t overcome their turnovers.
JCA shot 45.3% (34-for-75) compared to Spintex’s 42.3% (30-for-71), with the main difference inside the arc: JCA converted 50% versus Spintex’s 44.7%. Spintex led in three-point shooting, 9-for-24 versus JCA’s 7-for-21, though this was not decisive. Both teams were average at the free-throw line, with JCA at 14-of-19 and Spintex at 15-of-21, and each committed 15 fouls. JCA also recorded four blocks to Spintex’s two.
This win marks JCA’s second in the group, following their 72-58 victory over BC Avenir du Rail. Spintex remain winless after losing to Stade Malien, but their strong comeback suggests they could be more competitive if they improve ball security.
