Mustapha Oyebamiji took on some extra responsibility at the offensive end in Kwara Falcons first game at the President Cup Final Eight which started in Lagos on Wednesday.

He made a trio of key 3-pointers down the stretch and shot 80 percent from the line to finished with 31 points, David Godwin added 18 points and 6 rebounds including 100 percent from free throws to help Falcons recover from a slow start to down Lagos Islanders 78-68.

Ikenna Okpaluba who had a slow start, was one short of making a double double. He chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds while Ajileye Sheyi contributed 10.

Coach Baba Jubril side had difficulties in the first quarter where they waited for four minutes  before Ajileye Sheyi three pointer ended Islanders 4-0 run three minutes in to the game.

Babajide Ogunsemore  had a double double for the Lagos team. He notched 17 points, 12 rebounds while the duo of Tolani Buhari and Odufuwa Kanyinsola added 16 & 15 points respectively.

Falcons trailed by three at the end of the first quarter before a more composed display early in the second quarter gave them a one point advantage to move ahead (36-35) at the break.

They opened the second half with a 12-0 surge. Mustapha started the run with a 3 from the right corner, followed by a  jumper. David and Sheyi  further added points on consecutive possessions.

Coach Baba Jubril was delighted to have won but couldn’t hide his disappoinment to his side slow start to the contest. 

“We were slow to come out of the blocks which wasn’t what we planned for but it was obvious we  were a bit unsettled in the early stages, our shooters failed to get their rhythm early on which I think is down to their tiredness. Both Mustapha and David just returned from International duty meaning they had little time to train with the group but that is certainly not an excuse”.

 “Hopefully from the next game there’s going to be a more compose display from us and for Islanders, they gave us a good fight.” He said.

Kwara Falcons can secure a semi final berth  on match day two coming up tomorrow against Raptors by 5pm at the indoor sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

  Mustapha Oyebamiji