AN experienced Spartans A side defeated their green Walter Sisulu University (WSU) opponents, 62-56, during the Nelson Mandela Bay Basketball Association (NMBBA Preseason Challenge) finals at the Raymond Indoor Sports Centre in Motherwell on Sunday.
WSU booked themselves a berth in the finals after they overcame Invaders 51-44 in the semi-finals, while Spartans A defeated PE Comets A 64-50 in their semi-final.
It seemed that it was going to be one-sided final after Spartans made it 10-0 in the early stages. WSU’s never-say-die spirit saw them claw back into the game and leading 35-31 by the end of the first quarter.
Spartans, the side with the most experienced players, absorbed the pressure from WSU and retook the lead, 42-35, in the second quarter.
WSU fought back strongly, but they had themselves to blame for the errors that cost them dearly.
WSU trailed 49-44 in the third quarter. Ultimately, Spartans were crowned as 2021 NMMBA Preseason Challenge champions in their 62-56 win over the youthful WSU side, which has a bright future in the game of basketball. Spartans received the winner-takes-all prize of R1 600.
