Kuyo orchestrates Avenir du Rail’s Spintex demolition in crucial Road to BAL 2027 Elite 16 victory.

BC Avenir du Rail defeated Spintex Knights 89-70 as the race for next season’s Basketball Africa League qualification continues in Abidjan. Avenir led 50-20 at halftime and withstood a third-quarter surge from Spintex, who outscored them 29-14. Avenir then regained control in the fourth quarter and held on to their lead.

Kuyo was the star of the game with 23 points (8/13), 10 assists, five rebounds and three steals. Agunanne had 13 points and 17 rebounds (nine of those offensive boards). Elenga added 11 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals. Betoudji scored 16 points (6/9) in just under 16 minutes, and Mouyayangui had 18 points and two blocks. Balekita didn’t score but had 6 assists and five rebounds.

For Spintex Knights, Malik Temple recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Justin Uwitonze also scored 15 points, shooting 5-of-11 from three-point range. Benjamin Mensah added 10 points, while Ibrahima Ndiaye and Tidiane Ndiaye contributed nine and eight points, respectively.

Avenir took control early.

Both teams struggled to score early. Avenir established momentum with pressure defence and quick transitions. Elenga opened the scoring, Mouyayangui contributed inside, and Agunanne added a fast-break dunk. Essounga, Balekita, and Elenga forced turnovers, while Betoudji capitalised on second chances and free throws, giving Avenir a 23-9 lead after the first quarter.

Betoudji led the offence in the second quarter, scoring in the paint, on the break, and from beyond the arc. Kuyo’s defence created easy scoring opportunities, and Djedje added points near the rim and at the line. Appiah and Tidiane provided some offence for Spintex, but the Knights struggled defensively. A flagrant foul and a series of fast-break baskets extended the lead beyond 25, and Mouyayangui closed the half with a dunk. The halftime score was 50-20.

Spintex fight back

Spintex started the second half with increased energy. Ibrahima Ndiaye made two three-pointers and attacked the basket. Mensah scored from both the free-throw line and the perimeter, while Emmanuel Umoffia added a dunk. Meanwhile, Avenir struggled with passing, and turnovers increased.

Whenever Spintex narrowed the gap, Avenir responded. Kuyo made a three-pointer, Elenga secured offensive rebounds to extend possessions, and Mouyayangui contributed rebounds, blocks, and points.

In the fourth quarter, Justin Uwitonze made several three-pointers to reduce the deficit, while Godfred Bawa and Mensah also scored. Kuyo responded with a steal and a fast-break layup, followed by another three-pointer.

Betoudji completed a eurostep in the paint, Agunanne’s offensive rebounds created second-chance opportunities and free throws, and Elenga scored in transition from a Kuyo pass. Mouyayangui added a dunk in the final seconds, again assisted by Kuyo.

The numbers

Avenir won the rebounding battle 58-41, with 22 offensive boards to Spintex’s 15. They shot 42.7% from the field to Spintex’s 35.6, and led 50-30 in points in the paint and 31-21 in fast-break points. Their 13 steals produced 18 points off turnovers, while Spintex scored 16 off Avenir’s 16 turnovers. Second-chance points were close at 18-17.

Spintex shot better from beyond the arc, making 10-of-33 against Avenir’s 6-of-30, but they committed 17 turnovers and 19 fouls, while Avenir went 19-of-30 at the free-throw line.

With two direct BAL slots reserved for West Division finalists, this win keeps the Congolese side in contention for Group A qualification. An additional slot for the best third-ranked team across both divisions offers semifinalists a second chance.