May 14, (THEWILL)- Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers earned a coveted and historic spot in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs. The Hoopers triumphed over Rwanda’s Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) in a nail-biting 78-71 double-overtime thriller, marking the first time such a feat has been achieved in the prestigious continental tournament.
The Hoopers’ victory was not just a testament to their skill but also their unwavering determination. Five players from the Nigerian outfit scored in double digits, with Devine Eke (18 points, 18 rebounds) and Peter Olisemeka (17 points, 19 rebounds) dominating the boards. Will Perry chipped in with 11 points and seven assists, as both teams struggled to find their shooting touch, with field goal percentages below 40%.
For APR, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza led the charge with 16 points and five rebounds, while Dario Hunt put up an impressive all-around performance with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. Despite the valiant effort, the Rwandan side fell short in their quest to secure a playoff berth.
With their eyes firmly set on the postseason, APR, currently second in the Sahara Conference, will look to bounce back when they face Senegal’s AS Douanes (4th place with 2 wins and 3 losses) later in the evening. A win could potentially seal their spot in the highly anticipated BAL Playoffs, set to tip off at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, on May 24.
In another pivotal clash, the 2022 BAL champions, Tunisia’s US Monastir, kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating AS Douanes 75-69, claiming their second consecutive win in the competition. This turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable for the Tunisian champions, who started the Sahara Conference with three straight defeats but now find themselves just one win away from the postseason.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
