Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria’s representatives in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), began their campaign in the fifth season with a tough 89-81 loss against US Monastir of Tunisia. The game, a seeding fixture played at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, marked the fifth encounter between these two teams, with each side having won two games previously. Hoopers entered the tournament ranked fourth while Monastir held the third seed, setting the stage for a closely contested matchup.
The first half saw a tightly fought battle with the Hoopers showcasing their offensive prowess. They narrowly edged the first quarter 16-14, displaying a decent field goal percentage despite committing four turnovers. The second quarter continued in a similar vein with the Nigerian champions maintaining their offensive rhythm, winning the quarter 20-18 and limiting their turnovers significantly. This efficient play, combined with Monastir’s struggles with ball control, allowed the Hoopers to enter halftime with a slim 36-32 lead.
The second half, however, witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. US Monastir returned from the break with renewed energy and offensive precision. Their shooting percentage soared to 60% in the third quarter, completely overwhelming the Hoopers’ defense. This offensive onslaught allowed the Tunisian champions to turn the deficit into a 66-62 lead by the end of the third quarter. The Hoopers struggled to regain their footing in the final quarter, as Monastir continued their dominant performance, ultimately securing an 89-81 victory.
Despite the loss, Rivers Hoopers showcased individual brilliance. American forward Raphiael Putney led the scoring charts with an impressive 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds, demonstrating his offensive firepower. Madut Akec provided valuable support with 15 points and two steals, while veteran Peter Olisemeka recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, contributing on both ends of the court. However, their collective efforts were not enough to overcome Monastir’s balanced scoring attack.
US Monastir, in contrast, saw five players reach double figures in points, highlighting their depth and offensive versatility. Babacar Sane spearheaded their attack with 22 points and four rebounds, while Patrick Hardy orchestrated the offense effectively with 17 points and nine assists. Tarekeyi Edogi’s 11 points and eight rebounds, combined with contributions from Firas Lahyani and Osiris Eldridge, showcased Monastir’s depth and ability to share the scoring load.
The victory secured US Monastir a favorable seeding position heading into the BAL quarterfinals, which commenced on Monday. For Rivers Hoopers, the defeat serves as a valuable learning experience, highlighting the need for improved defensive solidity and consistency throughout the game. They now face the challenge of regrouping and refocusing their efforts to make a strong comeback in the subsequent stages of the tournament. The Nigerian champions undoubtedly possess the talent and potential to bounce back from this setback, but they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and maintain their offensive efficiency for the entire duration of the game to compete against the top teams in the BAL. Their next game will be crucial in determining their prospects for advancing further in the competition.
