The Atlantic conference six of the 2017 Kwese premier basketball league entered match day 2 on Wednesday at the Indoor sports hall, Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.
Host Kwara Falcons beat Oluyole Warriors 72-63 points in a game that could have been won by any of the two sides. Falcons who were dominant in their previous game, struggled to make easy baskets against Oluyole Warriors.
They made 3/16 from three point range and missed 16 of 26 of their free throws. Falcons guard, Godwin David, Godspower Ossai and forward Mojuba Oyeleye all scored 15 points for Falcons. David and Oyeleye both failed to score form the arc, 0/4 and 0/3 respectively.
The Warriors had it planned out coming in the last quarter as they reduced the deficit to 2 points with less than 3 minutes remaining on the clock. Sunday Aribiyun scored 15 points, Suliman Owolabi made 13 points and 7 rebounds while Moses Okpoye and Richard Odo both added 12 points each.
In the opening game of match day 2, Nigeria Customs bounced back from their loss to Rivers Hoopers the previous day to beat Police Baton 72-63 points.
Seun Akinwale had 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Ayodele Seyi and Solomon Igho both added 10 points each.
Customs had the better of their opponent in the first three quarters before Police Baton found their way back in the final quarter. Baton scored more points, 16, in the fourth quarter, while Customs made just 8 points.
The last game had River Hoopers play against a tricky team, Hoops & Read and the latter almost shocked the Port Harcourt side who struggled to get their rhythm in the first half.
At the end of the first two quarters, Hoopers had already suffered 17 turnovers but that was worked on during the break. They suffered a total of 24 turned over balls in the entire game.
Newly promoted side, Hoops & Read had the advantage to snatch the victory but failed to convert their free throws. The Lagos based team made 30/57 of their free throws and made 3/20 from the arc.
Hoopers experience came to the fur as they did all that was required of them in the final quarter to win their second game in two days.
Kwara Falcons and Rivers Hoopers are the only sides that have won their first two games while Police Baton and Oluyole Warriors are yet to win a game.
Match day 3 of the conference six playoffs takes place on Thursday (tomorrow) in Ilorin and Kaduna.
Rivers Hoopers will play Oluyole Warriors at 12pm, Police Baton take on Hoops & Read at 2pm while the big match up will be between Nigeria Customs and Kwara Falcons at 4 pm.
Action also returns in the Savannah conference after a day break as Kada Stars will play against Gombe Bulls who are winless in two games, Plateau Peaks face Niger Potters and Bauchi Nets play against Kano Pillars.
