Game Report: Rivers Hoopers solidified their position as contenders in the Sahara Conference of the 2024 Basketball Africa League by securing a playoff spot with a decisive 78-71 victory over APR. The Nigerian team showcased their determination and skill in a hard-fought battle against their Rwandan counterparts.
Last Updated on
May 12, 2024
On an exhilarating day two of the second leg games, two teams hungry for redemption after their losses on the previous gameday are poised to collide. It's a showdown of titans as Rwanda's APR squares off against Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers.
The match is a high-stakes affair, carrying immense weight for securing a spot in the finals in Kigali. Both Rivers Hoopers, victorious in the first leg, and APR understand that today's triumph will be the key to cementing their position in the finals, adding to the intensity of the game.
The first half unfolded with a tightly contested battle, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. Ultimately, APR clinched the first quarter by a narrow 19-18 margin, capitalizing on turnovers to secure nine crucial points. The second half mirrored the first, with the teams deadlocked and the advantage teetering on the edge. Will Filer's injury, limiting him to within five points, disrupt the strategy of the Rwandan club?
As the first half concluded, Rivers Hoopers held a slender one-point lead at 31-30. However, the third quarter witnessed APR seizing control, leveraging the efficiency of their bench and exploiting their opponent's turnovers.
Heading into the final period, APR held a nine-point advantage at 50-41. Yet, with patience and determination, the Nigerian club mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, first levelling the score at 54-54 before reclaiming the lead by a single point.
With just three minutes remaining, the tension in the arena reached its zenith as APR clung to a precarious three-point lead at 58-55. The score remained tight as the clock ticked down, with APR maintaining a slender two-point advantage at 58-56.
With just eight seconds left on the clock, Eke levelled the playing field once more, sending the game into five minutes of extra time. In a relentless display of resilience, Rivers Hoopers surged ahead, ultimately clinching victory with a score of 78-71 in a heart-stopping finish, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
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