- Kano Pillars 83-112 AS Sale
Morocco’s Association Sportive de Sale defeated Kano Pillars of Nigeria 122-83 in the opening game of the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup.
Sale – third place finishers in last year’s edition – got off to a strong start with Wayne Arnold connecting a pair of treys all in reponse to Abdul Yahaya who hit three easy twos for Kano Pillars. Sale started to slowly but surely pull away and took the opening quarter 24-13.
Kano Pillars had a huge second quarter powered by Abubakar Usman who at some point put the Nigerians in the lead. However, Sale regrouped and had a 7 points (49-42) lead at halftime.
The second belonged to the Moroccans especially the third quarter in which they stretched their lead to as much as 25 points before closing out with a 20 points (81-61) lead.
All was nothing but done by the fourth that Sale won 31-22 for a 29 points (112-83) blow out victory against the Nigerians.
Abderrahim Najah led Sale with game high 23 points, Soufiane Kourodu and Wayne Arnold contributed 22 points apiece while Abdelhakim Zouitaand Yacine Baeri chipped in with 17 and 15 points respectively.
Abdul Yahaya scored team high 22 points for Kano Pillars, Abubakar Usman and Azouma Dike contributed 21 and 15 points respectively.