Undefeated defending champions, Spintex Knights, opened their Accra Basketball League Playoffs campaign in a dominant fashion, dismantling the University of Ghana (UG) 70–41 at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on Friday.

The feat came just days after sealing qualification to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

After a tough start to their BAL qualifiers where they lost their opening game, the Knights bounced back strongly with two consecutive victories to secure a ticket to the Elite 16 stage.

Returning home, they faced a determined UG side hungry to make a statement.

The Knights, featuring Captain Elvis Pobi Siaw, Deputy Captain Omari Benjamin, Bassey Effiong, Oumar Abakah, and Asante Frederick, wasted no time asserting their dominance, finishing the first quarter 26–12 and maintaining control to end the first half 41–23.

After the break, the Knights continued to ‘school’ the UG boys, widening the gap to 55–31 by the third quarter and eventually wrapping up a comfortable 70–41 victory.

Asante Frederick, who led the scoring with 17 points, 3 steals, and 4 three-pointers, was named Player of the Game, presented by Gametime Management.

The Head Coach, Selorm Thomas, praised his team’s composure and adjustment after returning from continental duty, saying that:

“We want to take it slowly. You know, we just came back from the road to BAL, so it’s not just to get warmed up for the playoffs. I think I like how we adjusted to the atmosphere and everything. It’s good to be back home.”

When asked about facing the University of Ghana, he added that:

“I mean, this whole season, they’ve been the only team that has posed any threat to us. So we came out here and decided that they’ve always posed a threat. We have to be better against them today. And I’m happy that today we were way better than we were in the regular season.”