Braves of Customs have secured a 64-60 win over Ghana Fire Service in the 2022 Accra Basketball League (ABL) Men’s Division I Season.
The win was secured by the serial winners of the League earlier today at the Prisons Court in Cantonments in Ghana’s capital, Accra. Prior to Braves win, Ghana Air Force beat Ghana Fire Service 29-17 at the same venue in the Women’s Division.
Match Report
David Laryea scored four points in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Hashim Brimah drained two free throws. James Kpakpo Pappoe grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup. Daniel Ayana scored four straight points to give Braves an 8-7 lead with 4:39 minutes left.
Mutaleeb Alhassan and Baniba Dodzie scored three pointers to stretch Braves lead to 14-7. Emmanuel Ocquaye scored one of two free throws to end Fire’s scoreless run. Dennis Dugbennu completed a three point play to close out the quarter as Fire trailed 11-16.
Daniel Aryee, Ayana and Samuel Aryee scored for Braves to open the second quarter of the game. Bashiru Moro, Ocquaye and Dugbennu scored to trim Fire’s deficit to three (18-21) half way through the second quarter. Dodzie scored a trio of three pointers to put Braves up 33-28 at half time.
Laryea scored a three point shot from the corner. Aryee responded with a completed three point play and Alhassan scored a layup off a fast break. Gilbert Wood and Laryea scored points for Fire from the free throw line as did Braves via Dodzie and Aryee.
Alhassan Zamon drained a three pointer from the top of the key to bookend an individual 5-0 individual run. Steve Foster scored an easy layup after making a cut to meet Moro’s beautiful pass. Wood scored a corner three to close the quarter; Fire trailed 45-49.
With 4:37 minutes left in the game, Braves led 57-50 as both teams traded baskets. Dela Coffie scored off a beautiful spin inside to lay the ball in and Dugbennu drained a jumper in response. Ocquaye’s corner three pointer made the score 60-64 with 13 seconds left for Braves.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
