MFM have secured qualification for the FIBA WBLA continental finals in Cairo and continued their unbeaten run in the Zone 3 Qualifiers with a 77–66 victory over Energie BBC on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Nigerian champions and Friends of Basketball Association (FBA), the two Zone 3 representatives, will join the other zonal representatives in Egypt from December 11–19 for the continental finals.
MFM took a two-point lead after winning the opening quarter 23–21 before outscoring Energie BBC 24–13 in the second to take a 47–34 lead into half-time. Energie BBC replied with a 16–13 advantage in the third quarter, but the Nigerian side maintained their composure in the closing period, winning it 17–16 to secure a 77–66 victory.
Marvis Hembam once again led MFM with 21 points, while Abigail Isaac recorded 16 points and Idubamo Beggi finished with 11.
In the other Group A fixture, First Bank Basketball Club secured back-to-back wins with an emphatic performance against Flames. They opened with a 25–10 first-quarter advantage and continued their offensive output in the second, adding 21 points against Flames’ 14 to take a 46–24 lead into the break.
First Bank maintained their defensive intensity in the third quarter, limiting Flames to seven points while registering 14 of their own. They added 15 points in the final quarter to complete a 75–43 victory.
Gloria Ene Omale was the standout performer, finishing with a game-high 28 points. Haminatu Ayodeji contributed 10 points, while Theresa Ebiega added eight.
The win moved First Bank up to third in Group A, while MFM occupy second place with eight points, level with leaders Friends of Basketball Association (FBA), who hold the advantage on points difference.
Zone 3 Group A qualifying action concludes on Sunday, November 8, with D-Rockas taking on First Bank at 3:00 pm, before FBA face MFM at 5:30 pm.
Image: MFM
