Game Report: In a surprising turn of events at the Sahara Conference of the 2024 Basketball Africa League, U.S. Monastir secured their first victory of the season with a stunning upset, defeating APR 83-70. The win marked a significant moment for U.S. Monastir, who had faced setbacks earlier in the season.
Last Updated on
May 9, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
Thursday, May 9th, was a pivotal day for the Sahara Conference teams as they sought to solidify their standings and secure a spot in the finals in Rwanda.
The first match of the day set the scene for a gripping underdog narrative. APR, reeling from a defeat in their previous clash with Rivers Hoopers, squared off against US Monastir. Monastir, yet to score a point in the standings after three successive losses, faced the looming threat of elimination if they couldn't secure a win.
Monastir struggled in the first quarter in a familiar pattern, conceding several turnovers and falling behind by three points (22-19). However, they mounted a comeback in the second half, tightening their defence and closing the gap to just four points (34-30) minutes before halftime. Despite Monastir's efforts, APR held a narrow one-point lead heading into halftime (37-36).
APR intensified their efforts in the third quarter, extending their lead to eight points. While Monastir made a comeback, APR maintained their advantage and secured the third period (17-14). As the final period began, APR led 54-50.
However, in a stunning display of resilience, Monastir staged a remarkable comeback, seizing a ten-point lead with a mere three minutes left on the clock. With just twenty seconds remaining, Monastir held a commanding eleven-point advantage (81-70), positioning themselves for a historic first win of the conference.
