Stade Malien defeated Spintex Knights 94-80 in the Road to BAL, powered by Rolly Fula’s 22 points. The Malian side strengthened its Elite 16 qualification push, while Spintex’s late fourth-quarter rally ultimately fell short.
Last Updated on
November 9, 2026
Stade Malien faced Ghana-based Spintex Knights in a clash as Malien looks to return to the BAL, while the Knights aimed to become the first Accra Basketball League team to qualify. Rolly Fula’s perimeter shooting proved decisive against the Knights.
The game began at a slow pace but soon intensified. Stade Malien opened with a 4-1 lead before James Amatoe tied the score with a step-back three. Rolly Fula, the Congolese captain, responded with consecutive paint shots, signalling both teams’ determination. Kelvin Amayo struggled at the free-throw line, making one of three, but quickly redeemed himself with a crucial three-pointer.
Stade Malien went on an 8-2 run sparked by Amayo’s three-pointer, perfectly set up by Jerry Ngopot, and concluded with a three-pointer from Ngopot, showing he is not just an aerial threat.
Stade Malien built an eight-point lead, but the Knights responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Justin Uwitonze. The Malian side maintained their advantage to close the quarter at 20-17.
The second quarter started much like the first, with both teams trading baskets. However, Henry Kgopo’s three got the Knights fired up. Unfortunately, it was one of the only things they celebrated this early in the quarter, as Stade Malien went on a 14-2 run and asserted their dominance. While most games can be won or lost in the third quarter, this encounter was decided in the second.
Damari Franklin led the run with eight points for Stade Malien, and Rolly Fula added another basket. The Knights called a timeout, which proved effective as they halted Malien’s momentum and scored on a lay-up by Tidiane Ndiaye.
The Knights began to play in the paint, using their size to their advantage. They also exploited Stade Malien’s defensive complacency to draw fouls and go to the line. Despite this, the Malian side found ways to respond to every attack. They rode this momentum wave into the half, leading 43-30. Despite the lead, the Malian side knew they couldn’t take their foot off the pedal.
The third quarter could not have started better for Stade Malien. They opened the quarter with a three-pointer from Fula, which sparked a 9-0 run that put them up 22 points early in the third quarter. Knights called a timeout almost immediately. The timeout proved productive, leading to a 12-2 run. Malik Temple scored seven of those points and looked to take matters into his own hands. James Amotoe collected four assists during this run.
The game was back within 12 points with plenty of time on the clock. The run also exposed some weaknesses in the Malian side’s defence and their offensive disconnect.
Following the timeout, both teams exchanged baskets before Fula’s three-pointer, and a dunk by Jerry Ngopot provided relief for Stade Malien. A series of three-pointers followed: Amatoe scored for the Knights, Coulibaly responded, and Temple added another for the Ghanaian side. Amati ended the sequence with a free throw, signalling a return to more controlled play.
Stade Malien took a convincing 15-point lead heading towards the end of the third quarter. However, Malik Temple would not go down without a fight. He missed a three, then Ndiaye got the offensive rebound, but this time he rewarded his teammate by draining the three. Damari Franklin could not be stopped as he converted two more free throws to close the third quarter at 69-55 in favour of the Malian side.
Kelvin Amayo opened the quarter with a three-pointer for Stade Malien. However, Knights went on a 6-0 run powered by Benjamin Mensah. This forced a Malian timeout. Stade Malien head coach Amara Traoré then made three decisive substitutions.
After the timeout, Jerry Ngopot scored a jump shot as coach Traoré drew it. Benjamin Mensah could not be stopped when he scored a lay-up to keep the pressure on the Malian side. Rolly Fula responded with a three-pointer, then a mid-range jumper to show his range is no problem. At this point, the score is 79-63 with five minutes left.
Benjamin Ashitei then went on a 4-0 run to keep the Knights hoping and within range of the Malian side. Temple matched it with a three-pointer to make it a nine-point game, 79-70. In a last-ditch effort, the Knights went on another run. This time, a 6-1 run cut the deficit to five with two minutes left.
Both teams traded points over the next few possessions. Coach Traoré called a strategic timeout, resulting in a three-pointer by Fula and a defensive stop. This sequence was followed by a dunk from Damari Franklin, another defensive stop, and a dunk by Amayo. Fula sealed the victory with a buzzer-beater, finishing 94-80 for Stade Malien.
The Knights remain hopeful but must adjust their strategy to better support Amatoe’s 19, Temple’s 17, and Ndiaye’s 14 points. Stade Malien, despite a strong offensive showing, will need to address defensive gaps. Fula led all scorers with 22 points; Coulibaly contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds; Franklin added 16 points; and Amayo recorded 14 points and 13 assists.
