Basketball in Africa

In Otukpo — Full Force of Abuja Basketball team has qualified for the quarter-final of the ongoing 'Mark D Ball' Basket tournament in Otukpo, Benue State.
In its first game, the team defeated Bethlehem Basketball team of Otukpo 37:33 while also going on to edge Braves of Makurdi 41:38 to lead Group D with 4 point.
Braves of Makurdi also qualified in the Group with 3points ahead of Bethlehem of Otukpo.
ESPN of Otukpo tops Group A after notching two win in two games and earning 4points while Veteran of Abuja (VOA) qualified as well, sitting on the second spot with 3 points. Repete Shooters of Lafia were kicked out after earning just 2 points.
ASPAC of cotonou leads the second Group with 4points after winning its two games. Apa Flames of Otukpo earned the second ticket with 3points in Group B while Hard Rockers of Abuja managed only 2points and missed out.
In Group C 'Blame It On Experience' tops though, the three teams earned 3points each but goals difference of +5 stands the Otukpo team out.
SUBA of Suleja picked the second ticket in the group ahead of Otukpo United which got kicked out as the former had a +3 goal difference against the later's -1.
In the quarter Final matches that were ongoing as at time of press ESPN were pitched against SUBA in the first game.
'Blame It On Experience' (BIOE) challenged VOA in the second quarter-final match while ASPAC took on Braves.
The final and most promising encounter of the night saw Full Force taking on Apa Flames.
Pearls of Makurdi led the females in the race for the semi-finals winning three out of their three games.
The Makurdi side earned 6points to top Group B of the Females category while Dolphins of Lagos earned 5points to pick the second slot.
Rockers of Jos lead Group A after winning their two matches with 4points while Delta Force of Asaba clinched the last qualifying spot for the semi-finals.
Rockers will now take on Dolphins in the first semi-final encounter while Pearls will challenge Delta Force for a place in the final.