Kano Pillars maintained their unbeaten run with a 81-63 points win over ASPAC of Benin Republic at the ongoing FIBA Africa Champions Cup Zone 3 Qualifiers in Lagos on Wednesday.
Azuoma Dike and Abubakar Usman both scored 15 points each, Abdul Yahaya made a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds while Lucky Subel added 14 points.
ASPAC who are yet to win a game in the championship, started well in the first half (18-17) giving the defending champions a tough battle. It was a fight to finish in the first two quarters of the game. Former Nigeria Customs star, Romaric Quenum led the way for ASPAC scoring 17 points and 7 of 9 from the free throw line. A.Yachoubou added 12 points and 7 rebounds while Msavadogo contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Usman hit 4 of 8 from the arc and 9/29 three point shot was made by the entire team. Pillars built a 10 point lead with 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter and got worsened as ASPAC committed series of turn overs and 19 in total extending their lead to 20 points with 4:11 left on the clock in the last quarter.
In other game played, Gombe Bulls made it three straight wins following their 75-67 points victory over Mark Mentors.
Sylvanus Yakubu had 24 points and 6 rebounds while Abdulwahab Yakubu added 12 points and 4 rebounds.
Both teams had equal share on turn over balls (16) but we’re also poor from the free throw line. While Bulls made just 21/38 , Mentors made 9/22 in the entire game.
Wisdom Anyaoha continued his impressive form with 23 points and 11 rebounds while Ocheibi Okpe made 19 points and 6 rebounds for Mentors.
Any of the two sides could have won it late in the game but Bulls had a better advantage. Gombe Bulls had a 3 point lead with less than 1 minute remaining ( 70-67) they eventually made a 5-0 run to win it.
Thursday is rest day while action return on Friday. Kano Pillars take on Gombe Bulls while Mark Mentors play against Custom Braves of Ghana.
