Game Report: In a stunning upset, Spintex Knights defeated top-tier veterans Elan Coton 82-69 in the West Division—Group B opener of the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament. James Amotoe led the Knights with 21 points and helped showcase the Ghana League champions' tactical acumen despite both teams' poor shooting.
Last Updated on
October 12, 2024
In a stunning West Division - Group B opening game at the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament in Libya, Ghanaian champions Spintex Knights delivered a surprising upset against top-tier veteran Elan Coton, winning 82-69. Despite a lacklustre shooting performance from both teams, the Knights showcased a level of tactical acumen Elan Coton was not expecting.
Neither team found its shooting touch. Spintex Knights managed only 41% from the field, while Elan Coton fared even worse at 38.8%. The Knights shot a mere 20% from beyond the arc, and Elan Coton struggled with an abysmal 12%.
James Amotoe led the charge for Spintex Knights, scoring 21 points and narrowly missing a double-double with nine rebounds. He received solid support from Henry Kpogo and Ekpo Effiong Bassey. Although Bassey also fell short of a double-double, contributing nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals, his impact was felt on both ends of the court.
Elan Coton’s Jean Patrick Nguepy Dongmo was a standout performer, scoring an impressive 32 points, but he lacked the support needed to turn the tide. Bryson Malik Langdon added 13 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal, while Yves-Louis Ngaransou chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.
The game saw a competitive first quarter, with the lead changing hands five times. Spintex Knights established a significant lead, reaching a 19-point advantage at one stage, partly thanks to a 13-0 scoring run. In the rebounding battle, Spintex Knights edged Elan Coton 52-47. Elan Coton did slightly better in ball movement, recording 21 team assists compared to 19 for the Knights. However, the Knights capitalised on their turnovers, scoring 13 points off 10 Elan Coton turnovers.
Moreover, Spintex Knights demonstrated clinical execution on the fast break, tallying 17 fast break points compared to 13 from Elan Coton. Despite being new to this level of competition, Spintex held their ground in the paint, scoring 38 points while limiting Elan Coton to just 30.
This victory marks a promising start for Spintex Knights as they continue their journey in the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament, demonstrating that they can compete at this level.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
