BASKETBALL: IGP Queens Edge Defending Champions Dolphins in Thrilling Two-Point Battle
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt
Defending champions Dolphins were handed another setback in the second phase of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League after losing 48-46 to IGP Queens in a closely fought Matchday 2 encounter in Port Harcourt.
Dolphins made a slow start to the contest, struggling to settle into their rhythm as IGP Queens took advantage to claim the opening quarter 13-9.
The champions improved their defensive organisation in the second quarter and began to claw their way back into the game. Although IGP Queens still edged the period 6-8, Dolphins reduced the deficit to two points heading into the halftime break.
Dolphins came out of the locker room with greater intensity and produced their strongest performance of the game in the third quarter. They outscored IGP Queens 16-10 to overturn the deficit and establish a 33-29 advantage going into the final quarter.
With the game finely poised, both sides traded baskets in a tense fourth quarter. IGP Queens, however, held their nerve and matched Dolphins 11-11 in the final period to secure a narrow two-point victory.
The defeat leaves the defending champions without a win after their opening two games of the second phase, increasing the importance of their remaining fixtures.
Dolphins head coach Okechukwu Ottah acknowledged the disappointment of the result but said the team must remain united and focused on correcting its shortcomings.
“As a coach, I’m really, to be honest, really sad and devastated, so are the players. But at the end of the day, I still need to be with my players. We’re a team. I can’t distance myself from being a team and be a coach and they’re the players,” Ottah said.
Ottah described the current period as part of a rebuilding process, noting that the team is working to develop a better understanding and stronger cohesion both on and off the court.
“We’re trying to recoup ourselves and understand ourselves more better on and off the court. So, it’s a rebuilding phase for us, and I know that our loss today was really a hard one for us to swallow,” he added.
Despite the difficult opening to the second phase, the coach said Dolphins would use the setbacks as an opportunity to reassess their approach and improve before their next fixture.
He said the technical crew and players would review the two defeats, identify areas that require improvement and make the necessary adjustments.
“We need to look at ourselves and be like, okay, what did we not do well in the two games we have lost? What do we have to do the rest of the games that we have? That is what we have discussed with the team, and we are good and we are ready to go into the next game,” Ottah stressed.
(Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt)
