• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Rivers Hoopers, Cape Town Tigers Knocked Out In BAL Semifinals

by Leadership News
1 year ago
in Sport
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi and Angola’s Petro de Luanda will contest the final of the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) on Saturday, June 1 after beating Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers and South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers respectively in two agonisingly close contests.

Advertisement

Many games at this year’s BAL — particularly those involving Rivers Hoopers, who started off the night against Ahly Benghazi — had been won and lost on defense.

However, for the early stages of their semifinal clash, there was more offensive spark. Jo Lual-Acuil and Robert Golden led the scoring for Ahly Benghazi in the first quarter as they took a 27-21 lead, despite Kelvin Amayo keeping Rivers Hoopers in the game with 12 first quarter points — the most of any player in the game over that period.

Despite Amayo’s brilliance and another solid night for Will Perry, Ahly Benghazi maintained their superiority in the second quarter and led 48-37 at half-time.

Rivers Hoopers surprisingly fought back in the third quarter and with 2:24 left, a bucket from Peter Olisemeka tied the game at 56-56. Rivers Hoopers then fought their way in front with the help of another impressive performance from BAL Elevate player Ike David Ugonna, heading into the fourth quarter 60-56 ahead.

RELATED

NLO: Cultivate A Winning Habit, Kanu Tells Enyimba Feeders

Kanu, Ikpeba To Attend NNL Super 8 Opener

5 hours ago
WAFCON 2024: CAF Celebrates Former Super Falcons Captain, Ebi

WAFCON 2024: CAF Celebrates Former Super Falcons Captain, Ebi

5 hours ago

Devine Eke was increasingly influential as the game progressed, but Ahly Benghazi rallied together with Lual-Acuil leading the troops and the Libyan champions regained the lead in the fourth quarter. However, Rivers Hoopers took it right back and the teams traded blows until the end, eventually going to overtime tied at 73-73 after Perry missed the last shot of the quarter.

Ahly Benghazi were out of the blocks strongest in overtime and Lual-Acuil delivered a monstrous dunk over the head of Olisemeka to make it 80-75 with just over three minutes left.

With just over 46 seconds left, Devine Eke hit a crucial three to narrow the deficit to 84-81 and keep Rivers Hoopers in the hunt.

However, the experience of Ahly Benghazi’s senior players enabled them to see out the game as they saw out an 89-83 win to book their final berth. Lual-Acuil was the game’s top scorer with 27 points, while Golden got 20. Amayo scored 26 for Rivers Hoopers and Eke 25.

“Nobody in this room gave us the chance. Nobody thought we were going to be here today and here we are. It’s quite unfortunate that the fairytale run just ended, but we are still holding our heads high up and we are going to try come back and all worth it by trying to take the bronze medal here,” said Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu.

 

In the late tip-off, the Tigers got off to a strong start with Samkelo Cele pulling the strings, but Petro pushed them all the way through the first quarter, which the Tigers edged.

 

A three from Nick Faust put Petro 20-18 in front early in the second and he did not waste time before getting another to give the Angolan champions some breathing space. The lead continued to change hands as the quarter progressed.

 

Petro took a 43-37 lead into half-time with Faust’s impressive three-point shooting the difference between the sides.

 

Strength in depth made the difference as the Tigers struggled to keep the tempo up in the third quarter and fell 66-55 behind..


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerians can now earn US Dollars from the comfort of their homes with Ultra-Premium domains, acquire them for as low as $1700 and profit as much as $25,000. Click here to learn how you can earn US Dollars consistently.


SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

TINFF Denounces Agencies Charging Nigerian Filmmakers N2.5 m To Attend Festival

Next Post

Bellingham Wins La Liga Best Player Award

Leadership News

Leadership News

You May Like

NLO: Cultivate A Winning Habit, Kanu Tells Enyimba Feeders
Sport

Kanu, Ikpeba To Attend NNL Super 8 Opener

2025/06/29
WAFCON 2024: CAF Celebrates Former Super Falcons Captain, Ebi
Sport

WAFCON 2024: CAF Celebrates Former Super Falcons Captain, Ebi

2025/06/29
Rivers Angels Beat Nasarawa Amazons On Penalties To Win President Federation Cup
Sport

Rivers Angels Beat Nasarawa Amazons On Penalties To Win President Federation Cup

2025/06/29
President Federation Cup: Kwara United’s Victory Excites Gov AbdulRazaq
Football

President Federation Cup: Kwara United’s Victory Excites Gov AbdulRazaq

2025/06/29
Kwara United Win 2025 President Federation Cup
Sport

Kwara United Win 2025 President Federation Cup

2025/06/28
Rivers Angels Beat Nasarawa Amazons To Win 2025 President Federation Cup
Sport

Rivers Angels Beat Nasarawa Amazons To Win 2025 President Federation Cup

2025/06/28
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Kano Gov’t Renames Institute, Commission After Deceased 22 Athletes

Don’t Help Anyone Carry Bags You Didn’t Pack, NDLEA Warns Travellers

Delta South APC Leaders, Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Oborevwori For Second Term

Ex-Footballer, Businessman, Others Arrested Over Illicit Drugs

Saudi Arabia Okays Burial Of Late Dantata In Madina On Monday 

Sultan Tasks Political Leaders On Motto Of National Institute

Kanu, Ikpeba To Attend NNL Super 8 Opener

WAFCON 2024: CAF Celebrates Former Super Falcons Captain, Ebi

70% Nigerians Without Insurance Cover — NCRIB 

Ojude Oba: Brands, Celebs Find New Spotlight

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.