Upsets Recorded in CDS Independence Day Basketball Championship

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Day 3 of the fourth edition of the CDS Unity Southwest Zone Independence Day Basketball Championship delivered a day of intense drama, fierce rivalries, and stunning upsets.

This is as teams battled for supremacy across multiple courts, from nail-biting overtimes to dominant second-half performances, the Independence Day festivities were marked by high-octane basketball action.

The headline clash of the day saw Hoops and Reeds fall in a gripping overtime duel against the University of Ibadan. Both sides were neck to neck, quarter after quarter, locked at 34-34 at halftime and 64-64 at the end of regulation.

The tension spilled into extra time where UI held their nerve, pulling away 71-66 to seal a memorable victory.

In another standout encounter, Police Baton stunned Delta Force with a remarkable turnaround. After trailing 12-6 in the first quarter and narrowly at halftime, the law enforcers came alive in the third quarter to edge ahead 44-39.

The final quarter was a show of dominance as Police Baton outscored Delta Force 26-12, cruising to a commanding 70-51 triumph.

Ekiti State produced a defensive masterclass against Sports Nation, recovering from a narrow 9-8 deficit in the first quarter to smother their opponents with aggressive rebounding and sharp shooting. Ekiti closed the game in style with a 16-5 final quarter run, sealing a comfortable 44-28 win.

The clash between Ogun Rockets and Edo Beads was another thriller. Both teams matched each other shot for shot, with the scores tied at 10-10 in the first quarter and neck-and-neck through regulation.

With the game stretching into overtime at 47-47, Ogun Rockets exploded in the extra period, unleashing a 19-6 run to overpower Edo Beads 66-53.

Elsewhere, Dodan Warriors proved too strong for Osun United, overturning a third-quarter deficit to dominate the final stretch. A powerful 21-10 fourth quarter display saw the Warriors claim a decisive 65-45 victory.

Meanwhile, Oluwole Basketball Club capped off the day with a commanding performance over Ondo State, racing ahead from the opening tip and never looking back. Their well-balanced offense and tight defense secured a 63-44 win to round off the Independence Day spectacle.

The 2025 edition of the CDS Unity Southwest Zone Championship is already shaping up as one of the most competitive yet, with overtime thrillers, surprise turnarounds, and clinical displays setting the tone for the battles ahead.