Marcel Esonwune scored at the buzzer to hand Nigeria a dramatic 20-19 victory over Guyana and end the national men’s 3×3 basketball team’s Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, Scotland, today.
Guyana needed a win in its final Group A match to keep its hopes of advancing alive and pushed the world No. 56-ranked Nigerians until the final possession.
Anish Ramlall led Guyana’s attack with a game-high 10 points, while captain Travis Belgrave contributed six. Kevin Mickle and Christian Hinckson also played important defensive roles during the closely contested encounter.
Nigeria threatened to take control midway through the game, but Guyana fought back. Ramlall sank consecutive two-point baskets to erase the deficit and level the score at 19-19.
Nigeria called a timeout with five seconds remaining and executed a pick-and-roll play on the final possession. Despite being closely guarded by Hinckson, the experienced Esonwune managed to release his shot before time expired and secured the one-point victory.
The defeat brought an end to Guyana’s historic debut in the Commonwealth Games 3×3 basketball competition.
Guyana began the tournament with a 21-14 loss to hosts Scotland before suffering a 21-3 defeat against New Zealand. The team then rebounded to beat the Cayman Islands 21-17, recording the country’s first victory in Commonwealth Games 3×3 basketball.
Following the Nigeria match, Guyana Olympic Association Vice President Steve Ninvalle met with the players and praised their performances and the manner in which they represented the country.
Although Guyana did not advance from the group stage, the quartet of Ramlall, Belgrave, Mickle and Hinckson demonstrated the country’s potential in the discipline and gained valuable experience for future international competitions.
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