In the first game of its title defence campaign, TUSK Foundation did a fairly decent job to clinch a win to mark the occasion. The team beat Icons Basketball Academy 48-36 earlier today at the Prisons Court in Cantonments.
Playing without Head Coach Thomas Amediku-who has joined fellow Division II side Spintex Knights after leading the team to cinch the 2021 title-TUSK’s strong start proved key in determining the outcome of the competitive matchup.
Prior to TUSK’s win, Knights produced a 93-51 win over Ashaiman Basketball Academy with Coach Thomas leading from the bench. The loss is Icons second in two games played this season.
Match Report
Tusk held a 16-5 first quarter lead. Wahna Nuse and Carl Quartey scored for Icons while Muhaimin Guba, Aziz Mutawakil, Edem Quist and Leslie Alhassan scored for Tusk.
Nuse and Thomas Addo scored fast break layups and Maxwell Addo scored a three pointer to get Icons back in the game. Alhassan slammed a two handed dunk on Gideon Segbe after the former gained a step along the baseline and rise for the emphatic jam. Tusk led 26-14 at the end of the quarter.
Quartey scored in back to back possessions for Icons to begin the third quarter. Mutawakil and Icons Gideon Segbe traded baskets. Both teams missed several shots in a scrappy end to the quarter that ended in a Tusk 38-24 lead.
Nuse drained a three pointer and teammate Addo drained a jumper but missed an easy dunk on a fast break. Philip Kayku scored a three pointer to give Tusk a 47-29 lead with 4:17 minutes remaining. Icons missed crucial layups and free throws in the final minutes to make the score close down the stretch.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
