University of Ilorin resurged on Sunday with victory over Federal University of Technology, Minna, to keep alive their hopes in men's basketball of the West Africa University Games.

The hosts of the ongoing 13th edition of the games won 35-22 in a Group B match on Sunday on court two.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that they had fallen 52-53 on the same court on Saturday evening to the University of Ghana, Legon, in their group opening match.

Team coach Funmilola Dominic was a relieved woman at the end of the second game, saying the result showed that they have it in them to go all the way.

"Yesterday's (Saturday's) loss was unfortunate, but it has also served as an eye-opener to us that if we keep our heads up we can do what we need to do."

Dominic, who also coaches the institution's female team, said she only needed to boost her players' morale to revive sagging hopes.

"Our loss to the Ghanaians was something that put many of us down, and we only needed to boost our morale and plug the holes in our defence.

"The point actually is that our team is good enough for the gold medal in this event, but we need to make the players realise this, and that's exactly what we did to achieve victory."

The Unilorin basketball team coach dismissed with a wave of the hand insinuations that their opponents lost because their coach, Aliyu Abubakar, was sent off.

"That had no effect on the game. At least his assistant took charge thereafter. We were simply better than them," she said.

The host institution's female team were also whipped 77-20 in their opening game in Group A of their own competition, losing to University of Lagos.

Lagos dominated the game throughout, winning 25-2, 14-8, 21-2 and 17-8 in the four quarters respectively.

In Group B, Benson Idahosa University, Okada, beat Benue State University 26-16.

In other men basketball matches played on Sunday, University of Benin beat University of Ghana 38-32 in another Group B match.

In Group A, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, beat University of Abomey, Cotonou, 41-34, while University of Jos beat University of Abuja 25-24.