Defending champions Kano Pillars and Hoops & Read have booked their spots in the semi finals at the ongoing final 8 of the Kwese Premier Basketball League in Kano.
Hoops and Read made it back to back wins after beating Bauchi Nets 75-60 points in their second Group B game.
Owen Orikhi scored 18 points and 6 rebounds with 3 steals while David Edward added 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Somadina Dike scored 13 points and 4 rebounds while Daramola Micheal got off the bench to contribute 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Umar Garba and Akpara Akita both scored (13) points for Bauchi Nets. Akita however suffered 5 of 18 turn overs committed by the team.
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The Lagos based team defeated Savannah Conference champions, Gombe Bulls 81-79 in their opening game on Monday.
Bulls bounced back to beat Nigeria Customs 90-73 on Tuesday. Abdulwahab Yakubu and Ibe Agu each scored 20 points for Gombe Bulls. Wahab added 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Chibuzo Njoku had 19 points while John Iduh had 10 points.
Hilary Aigbokhaode had a game high 22 points and Adebayo Oduliye 21 points in Customs’ second consecutive defeat.
Group B has Hoops and Read, 2017 finalists Gombe Bulls, Bauchi Nets and Nigeria Customs. While Pillars are grouped alongside Atlantic Conference champions Kwara Falcons, and two newly promoted sides Anambra Flames and Ahip Giants in Group A.
Meanwhile, Kano Pillars also made it two straight wins in the late tipoff after they demolished Anambra Flames 98-68 points.
Six players finished on double figures for Pillars. Celestine Nwafor and Abdul Yahaya finished on double figures. Nwafor had 20 points and 13 rebounds while Yahaya scored 14 points and 12 rebounds. Lucky Subel (10), Azuoma Dike (11), David Godwin (13), and Timothy Kwaor (12).
In Thursday’s fixtures, Gombe Bulls will face Bauchi Nets, Hoops & Read will take on Customs, Pillars will face Ahip Giants while Kwara Falcons will battle Anambra Flames.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for Saturday.
