Plateau Peaks suffered a narrow 62–70 defeat to Nile University in a tense NNBF Premier League encounter on Friday evening at the National Sports Commission Arena, Jos.
Despite a spirited fourth-quarter surge, the home side’s inconsistent play and missed opportunities proved costly against a composed Nile side.
The Peaks started brightly, matching Nile basket-for-basket in the opening quarter. However, a dip in intensity and focus during the second period allowed the visitors to pull ahead.
Head Coach Nendirmwa Joshua cited a lack of energy and the injury of a key player as turning points in the game.
“We didn’t bring our usual intensity today,” Joshua said after the match. “The rest day seemed to dull our rhythm, and our lapse in the second quarter gave Nile control. Losing a key player didn’t help, but we’ve identified our mistakes and will bounce back stronger.”
Plateau Peaks rallied late in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just six points, but poor shooting accuracy — particularly from the free-throw line — and missed chances in the paint stifled their comeback.
Prominent supporters, including Hon. Owen Dagogot, Deputy Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, were full of praise despite the result.
“The teamwork and coaching are impressive,” Dagogot remarked. “Plateau Peaks have already shown they can beat top teams. I believe they’ll reach the finals and bring the trophy home. Basketball is growing fast, and we’re committed to supporting our team.”
Similarly, Mr. Chollom Lomak, Chairman of the Plateau State Basketball Association, pointed to tactical missteps as factors in the loss but expressed optimism moving forward.
“Some games don’t go your way,” Lomak observed. “Our plan from the Gboko City Chiefs match didn’t quite fit here. We struggled with shooting and didn’t take advantage of Nile’s foul trouble inside. If we’d converted those easy points, it could’ve been a different story.”
With strong backing from fans and stakeholders, Plateau Peaks remain determined to refine their play as they continue their pursuit of a finals spot in the NNBF Premier League. Their next outing will be pivotal in reigniting their championship charge.
STORY CREDIT: GOLD MARKUS