Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers recorded their third consecutive victory in the ongoing Sahara Conference of Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Dakar, Senegal. The 84-63 victory over 2022 champions US Monastir of Tunisia was a huge one for the Rivers State owned team. No team is yet to match Hoopers 21 points edge over Monastir so far.
As the only team with maximum three wins from three games, Hoopers are sitting pretty on top of the conference standing on six points while Monastir drop to the bottom of the log with no win so far.
Unlike in the Hoopers second game against Rwanda’s APR that was dominated by American import, Will Perry with 31 points, yesterday, it was Edo-born Canadian, Kelvin Amayo, who played like a man on fire to help the Port Harcourt side destroy the Tunisians, contributing 30 points. Perry had 19 points credited to him while Peter Olisemeka contributed 13 points.
Monastir’s American star, George Williams was no match on the night. They also had Ater Majok, who was once drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with another Tunisian, Marcus Christopher Crawford. It just wasn’t their day as Hooper with the three victories are now waiting for the reverse fixtures to complete the six games of the conference and possible shot at the BAL 2024 title.
From tip off, Hoopers flew into lead, finishing the first quarter 25-16. They kept their feet on the throttle, also winning the second quarter 24-13. But the Tunisians fourth back gamely in the third quarter, snatching a 22-18 win to give their bench the hope of a possible miracle happening in the fourth and final quarter. Sadio Doucoure was the star player on the Tunisian side as his three points throws were awesome!
But Rivers Hoopers refused to let go, rushing to a 17-12 win to leave the final summary scores at 84-63.
Standings in the Sahara Conference
MP. W. L. PTS
Rivers Hoopers 3. 3. 0. 6
Duoanes 2. 1. 1. 3
A.P.R. 2. 1. 1. 3
Monastir. 3. 0. 3. 3
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