Lagos Islanders Basketball Club on Tuesday defeated their city rivals, Dodan Warriors Basketball Club, 60-50 in a thrilling encounter in the Atlantic Conference match of the ongoing DStv Basketball Men’s League.
The match saw both teams working hard to dominate ball play as Warriors’ youthful side took the lead at the close of first half 30-25 points.
A resolute Islanders, led by former U.S based player Ben Uzo, came smoking in the third quarter of the second half and pushing hard on Warriors on the offensive and the defensive play.
However, Warriors took the third quarter, 43-41 making Islanders star studded team look ordinary and less effective and keeping the teeming fans guessing which team was going to take the day.
The fourth and final quarter began with great intensity and a high tempo game to the delight of fans cheering both teams in every move and every point made.
Islanders team effort in the offensive and defensive play led by Uzo and veteran player Tunji Awojobi’s inputs engineered a famous victory to the disgust of the Warriors team.
Uzo recorded 22 points and six rebounds while Awojobi had 12 rebonds and six points in the game.
Coach Lateef Erinfolami of the Islanders team told reporters on the sidelines of the game that his team had won the match through good team work.
”We played well to win the match and could have done better if we were not playing individual game in the beginning.
”I had to talk to my players to approach the game as a team and not as individuals trying to prove a point.
”They listened and it worked well eventually, so I am happy for the victory,” Eribfolami said.
Islanders forward, Uzo said that the victory was achieved through collective efforts and experience.
”I am glad we won, the Warriors team played very well but our mental strength as a team and our experience in handling tough opponents saw us through,” Uzo said.
Coach Chris Nomigo of the Warriors team expressed satisfaction of his team’s performance regardless of the loss.
”We played well but it wasn’t good enough, the Islanders team had their runs and we had ours, this is basketball, it happens often.
”We have to go back to the drawing table and prepare better for games ahead,” Nomigo said.
With the victory, slanders lead the Atlantic Conference table having won five out of the six games played so far.
