Game Report: Al Ahli SC clinched the 2025 BAL West Division title following a tight 71-68 victory over Stade Malien and booked their tickets to Basketball Africa League 2025. Despite poor 3-point shooting (23.5%), minimal bench production, and 29 fast break points conceded, Al Ahli's 41 rebounds helped secure the win.
Last Updated on
November 10, 2024
In a gritty showdown at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Al Ahli Tripoli held off a late surge by Stade Malien to claim a 71-68 victory, securing the 2025 BAL West Division title and a coveted spot in next year's Basketball Africa League. Although Al Ahli dominated early, their journey to victory was anything but straightforward, as lapses in focus nearly let Stade Malien claw back into contention.
Al Ahli came out strong in the first quarter, pouring in 30 points while holding Stade Malien to just 16, setting the tone with their aggressive rebounding and fast-paced offence. The second quarter saw only a slight improvement from the Mali-based club, with Stade Malien managing 22 points yet still conceding 24, leaving them trailing by double digits at halftime.
Despite Al Ahli's commanding 65-54 lead heading into the fourth, the team's energy appeared to wane. Fans and onlookers couldn't miss the noticeable shift in focus, as Al Ahli's initially sharp play became uncharacteristically sloppy. Stade Malien seized the opportunity, ramping up defensive pressure and clawing back to within striking distance. But despite their best efforts and a 14-point rally in the final quarter, Stade Malien couldn't bridge the gap, falling short by just three points.
Statistically, the game was perplexing: Al Ahli struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23.5% and posting only two points off the bench. Despite conceding a staggering 29 fast-break points to Stade Malien and losing the paint battle by a margin of 40-30, Al Ahli's resilience on the boards proved decisive. Their 41 total rebounds and free throws that just edged Stade Malien's dismal 33.3% showing at the line helped them hold their narrow lead.
Key performances from Naseim Badrush, who tallied 26 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, along with Deng Angok Yak Deng's impressive 15-point, 15-rebound double-double, helped secure Al Ahli's win. The Libyan powerhouse showed grit and persistence despite facing moments of complacency, ultimately emerging as champions of the West Division and booking their place in the Basketball Africa League 2025.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA Africa/Road To BAL]
