TRIPOLI (Libya) - The last time the the Spintex Knights featured in a Road to BAL game, a year ago, they were defeated by Mali's Centre de Référence de Basket-Ball de Tombouctou in an Elite 16 clash in Praia, Cape Verde. However, on Wednesday, they demonstrated how far they have come.
James Amotoe was the driving force behind their 96-90 victory over the formidable Nabaya Sofas team from Guinea.
Amotoe exploded with a game-high 29 points, shooting 11 for 21 and dishing out 12 assists. Khyree Temple backed up Amotoe's heroics, making 15 of his 27 points from deep. He also had 15 rebounds. Benjamin Ashitei contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Spintex Knights secure an important win in the Group B opener.
Although the Ghanaian team was trailing at one point, they outscored Nabaya 10-2 in the final five minutes, making three three-pointers and committing no turnovers. Meanwhile, Nabaya only made one field goal and did not record a rebound or free throw during that time.
Nabaya's Abdoulaye Diene scored the first basket — a three-pointer — of the 2027 Road to BAL season.
He ended up as one of the Guinean champions' three players with 15 points. Meanwhile, Allen Sharif Fordham caused all sorts of trouble for the Knights with his 23 points and three steals.
Despite the win, the Spintex Knights' bench was outscored 27-12. This shows how much they will need to improve in the coming games.
The Spintex Knights will take on the NPA Pythons on Thursday, while the Nabaya will go up against the Energie BBC in Group B's day two action.
FIBA