Determined to make it to the final round of Africa biggest women club competition, The FIBA Africa Champions Club Competition for Women, Nigeria First Deepwater basketball club Tuesday gave a good account of herself when she powered past host of FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers and former champion of the Cote d'Ivoire women league Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) by 61-53 points.
The Nigerian side coached by the duo of Lateef Erinfolami and Shola Ogunade held the Ivorian to 15 points apiece in the first quarter but came into the second quarter determined to nail their opponent on a night Nigeria Senior National team forward, Ijeoma Uchendu rose to the occasion leading the First Deepwater challenge with a double double effort of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assist to win the second quarter by 13-10 points to go into the break with a 28-25 points lead.
With contributions from Magdalene Ukato - 16 points and 4 rebounds and Rebecca Iritei – 11 points and 3 rebounds, the Nigeria continue from where they left off in the second quarter to pick the third quarter by 14-13 points thus going into the last quarter with a 4 points advantage.
First Deepwater basketball who will Wednesday take on Togolese side, UBC basketball club in a delayed fixtures stopped ABC incursion led by Guinean international, Fatoumata Camara who led her team with 17 points and 4 rebounds to win the quarter by 19-15 points for a cumulative score-line of 61-53 points. ABC Tshiniangu Kalanga grabbed 14 rebounds for her side.
First Deepwater basketball club head coach, Erinfolami described the win as a morale booster ahead the club big march-up against reigning champion of the Cote d"Ivoire league, Club Sportif de Abidjan, CSA on Thursday.
Erinfolami who captained the Nigeria senior men national team in 1995 applauded the team spirit exhibited by his players describing it as the lead to the team victory over the ABC side Tuesday.