By Ṣẹgun Ikuesan
2021 Afrobasket winner and captain of the Nigeria Customs basketball club Nkem Akarawe double double of 15 rebounds and 13 points was good enough as the Nigerian handed ASPAC basketball club of Benin Republic a 65-48 (24-14, 7-9, 21-8, 13-17) points victory in the Africa Women Basketball League Zone 3 qualifiers at MO Arena in Abuja.
Customs took a commanding 24-14 points to close out the first quarter but caved in to the spirited play of their opponent which saw them trailed by two points in the second (9-7) but were still in the lead by 8-point (31-23) going into the locker room.
The Abdulrahman Mohamed tutored side came into the third quarter more determined to make a statement as they handed down a comprehensive 21-8 points defeat of ASPAC, efforts by ASPAC to end the game on a respectable note could only yield them 17-13 points win in the fourth period as Customs ran away with a 65-48 points victory in the 3-team round robin qualifiers.
Customs showed a better strength on the board with 50-33 rebounds while it’s bench contributed 31 points to ASPAC 19.
Customs will face off against Nigeria reigning Women League Queen, MFM in a test game as the prayer warriors searches for a first win.
Credit To Isaac Afolabi
