Knights Collapse as Desperate Barrolle Cling to BAL Hopes

Knights Collapse as Desperate Barrolle Cling to BAL Hopes

Mighty Barrolle halted their two-game skid with a must-win 73-69 triumph over Ghana’s Spintex Knights on Game Day 3 of the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament. On the brink of elimination, Barrolle’s victory kept their Basketball Africa League 2025 dreams alive.

Spintex started strong, leading 23-18 after the first quarter and maintaining control well into the second. However, their momentum unravelled as they scored just six points in a catastrophic second quarter, allowing Barrolle to seize the halftime advantage, 41-29.

Despite Spintex scoring 15 points to match Barrolle’s 19 in the third, the Ghanaians found themselves trailing 60-44 heading into the final quarter. The Knights fought back with a determined 25-point effort in the last period, but Barrolle’s 13 points proved enough to secure a crucial win.

Omar Samba delivered a commanding performance for Barrolle, notching a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double along with two steals and three blocks. Chibuzo Joseph Njoku dominated the boards, racking up 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Brian Matthew Nyangbe added 15 points and three rebounds.

Both teams struggled with shooting accuracy, with Barrolle hitting 39.4% from the field and the Knights a dismal 17.2% from beyond the arc. Barrolle's dominance on the glass was clear as they out-rebounded Spintex 56-42, converting those boards into 16 second-chance points.

Barrolle’s bench played a pivotal role, contributing 30 points compared to just 20 from Spintex’s reserves. While Spintex moved the ball more effectively, tallying more assists than Barrolle, it wasn’t enough to prevent their third defeat in the tournament.

With a 1-2 record, Barrolle clings to second place in Group B, though their fate hinges on other results, particularly Elan Coton's upcoming clash. A win for Coton could knock Barrolle out, leaving their BAL 2025 aspirations out of their control.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]