Kano Pillars recorded their first win beating New Generation of DR Congo 83-66 points at the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup at the Salle multi disciplinaire de Rades, Tunisia on Wednesday.
After losing two straight games, the FIBA Africa zone 3 champions bounced back to record their first victory dominating most part of the game.
Abubakar Usman who has been quiet in the first two games finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Usman made 3 of 8 beyond the arc and missed just 3 of his 8 free throws while the team made 8/28 from the arc.
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Azuoma Dike had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists while Abdul Yahaya added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both players had to play major minutes 33 and 35 minutes respectively for Pillars who still were short of 3 players in the team.
Kasongo Kalenda had 16 points while Paul Mwanba added 10 points in a game they suffered 26 turnovers and 7 of it was committed by Aluma Samona of DR Congo.
In a chat with ACLSports, Pillars coach Sani Ahmed said injury and flight issues were the reasons behind having just 9 players since the beginning of the tournament.
“My captain Matthew got injured before our first game in Tunisia but he is undergoing medication. The other two players who should have joined us from the US are still battling with flight issues . I am confident they will join us on Thursday before our last two group games,” said Ahmed
Thurday is rest day while action returns on Friday when Kano Pillars face hosts Etoile Sportive de Rades on Friday.
