NBBF Final 8: Customs, Pillars, Bulls, Hopers Set Semifinal Today

NBBF Final 8: Customs, Pillars, Bulls, Hopers Set Semifinal Today By Niyi Busari KANO PILLARS 65-53 KWARA FALCONS Kano Pillars were made to struggle to seal a semifinal berth during the last Group B game of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Final eight with a 65-53 pts win against Kwara Falcons Coach Sanni Ahmed led team were slow to come out of the blocks after losing the opening quarter 12-10 to the more pacy Falcons. Abraham Usman contributed 18pts to help lift Pillars to victory. At halftime, pillars led by four points 28-24 but Kwara Falcons enjoyed a 7-0 run to tied the game 44-44 at the third quarter. Lordprince (18) and Victor (10) paced Falcons for a combined 28pts which couldn't stop them from exiting the championship. The results sees Pillars setup a semifinal clash against Arch-rivals Gombe Bulls on Monday BENUE BRAVES 59-61 POLICE BATON Police Baton had the duo of Malu and Lawson to thank for notching a double double against Benue Braves, to get a win during one of the last games in group A. Lawson drop a game high of 22pts, 18rebounds while Malu recorded 16pts & 11 rebounds. Both sides had already exited the championship but still gave a good account of themselves in front of the crowd at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola Stadium. Police carried a six point lead at halftime 38-32 but it was a nervy ending against the Braves who fought till the last moment of the game with just two points separating both sides. Jimoh had 11pts, 6 rebounds for Braves while Sunday added 10pts. RIVERS HOOPERS 69-61 GOMBE BULLS Anaiye Johnson scored 19pts, 11 rebounds to help Rivers Hoopers sealed top spot in Group B against Hard fighting Gombe Bulls in a thrilling contest. Both sides already had two wins each going into the game but top spot was at stake. Owen Oriakhi added 18 for Hoopers in a game that had 10 lead changes. Gombe Bulls who led by a point at the break 34-33, relied on the duo of Ibe Agu and Mustapha Oyebanji who had 15 & 12 pts respectively. With this outcome, Rivers Hoopers will engage Nigeria customs who came second in group B in the other semifinal fixture billed for Monday. The first Semifinal match will dunk off at 3:00pm while the second game commence immediately after the conclusion of the first.