Game Report: Al Ahli Tripoli dominated Spintex Knights 101-69 in Elite 16 West Division, with their Starting Five leading a powerful performance in Abidjan, keeping their winning streak alive and strengthening their bid for a semifinal berth.
Last Updated on
November 9, 2024
On Gameday 2 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli showcased their dominance with a commanding 101-69 win over Ghana’s Spintex Knights in the Elite 16 West Division. Building on their momentum from their opening win, Al Ahli relied on their impressive Starting Five to control the game from the outset, dismantling the Knights and solidifying their place at the top of their group.
From the tip-off, Al Ahli set the tone with an aggressive 21-12 run in the first quarter, quickly seizing control. Their fast-paced, disciplined offense allowed them to exploit gaps in the Spintex defense, while their defensive energy stifled the Knights' efforts to gain any rhythm. By halftime,Al Ahli had extended their lead to a comfortable 50-30, putting them firmly incontrol.
Deng Angok Deng delivered a standout performance, recording a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, along with two steals. Deng was relentless in the paint, both offensively and defensively, disrupting Spintex's flow and setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates. Naseim Badrush also shone, matching Deng’s 21 points while contributing six rebounds and four assists, showcasing his versatility and vision on the court.
The second half saw a brief rally from Spintex. They managed a 23-21 third-quarter run, their best showing of the game, with James Amotoe leading the charge. Amotoe recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds,providing much-needed resistance for the Knights. Despite this surge, Al Ahli’s deep roster and cohesive team play quickly shut down Spintex's momentum,keeping them at a comfortable distance. By the end of the third quarter, AlAhli still led by 17 points.
As the final quarter began, Al Ahli applied the finishing touches to their dominant display, scoring a game-high 30 points in the last quarter while holding Spintex to just 16. Al Ahli’s superior ball movement was key; they registered 28 assists compared to Spintex's 12, reflecting their ability to work collectively and find open shots. Kevin Murphy and Kavell Bigby-Williams rounded out the scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively, adding depth and consistency to the lineup.
Al Ahli's dominance in the paint (60 points to Spintex’s 32) was another deciding factor. They effectively controlled the boards and capitalized on turnovers, outscoring Spintex 27-10 on fast breaks. The Libyan team’s 24 points off turnovers highlighted their quick transition game and defensive pressure, leaving Spintex struggling to keep up.
Reflecting on the game, Deng praised the collective effort that led to their second victory in as many games.
“We came for the win. The team is verygood, though very young. Now we’re going for recovery, and we’ll come back again tomorrow and do our thing,” he remarked.
For Spintex, beyond Amotoe's efforts, Elvis Siaw and Henry Kpogo managed1 4 and 13 points respectively, but their contributions couldn’t change the game's trajectory. Spintex simply couldn’t match Al Ahli’s cohesion and execution, especially with the Libyan squad running their offence efficiently through their Starting Five, who accounted for the bulk of the scoring.
Looking ahead, Al Ahli Tripoli will face Kadji Sports Academy in their next game. A victory there would strengthen their position and likely secure them a spot in the semifinals. For Spintex Knights, their upcoming game against Mighty Barolle is now critical. With both teams carrying one loss in this stage of the Elite 16, it’s a do-or-die situation if they want to keep their campaign alive.
[Photo/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA]
