Rivers Hoopers Overcome ‘Home-boys’ APR for Second Win in Kigali

BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE 2024

Rivers Hoopers won their second game of the ongoing Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday to stay on track for meaningful outing in the competition.

Hoopers finished the fourth quarter of the tension-soaked encounter with Rwanda’s APR smiling away with 86-82 victory. 

Earlier on Saturday, the Rivers State owned team had kicked tipped off their campaign against 2023 finalists AS Douanes of Senegal on promising note, winning the encounter 77-68.

Yesterday,  Hoopers and APR were neck and neck from the opening quarter 19-18. The second wasn’t any different  as the one point lead continued at 21-22. It was the same in the third quarter 23-22 until fourth final quarter that the Nigerians gained just three point lead to end the game 86-82.

American player in Hoppers fold, Will Perry, accounted for the great run of Hoopers.  Hoopers American Guard, Will Perry, led scores with 31 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists while home boys Divine Eke (19 points) and Kelvin Amayo (13points)were the other top contributors to the Nigerian team.

APR had three American players on their payroll, Michael Dixon, Zion Styles and Dario Hunt yet could not surmount the Nigerians.

Hoopers next game in the series is against the much feared Tunisian side, US Monastir; a club founded 65 years ago.

US Monastir were champions of the BAL in 2022 and have an American, George Williams leading their charge. Ater Majok, who was once drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA is also a key player for US Monastir with another Tunisian, Marcus Christopher Crawford also a key player for the Tunisian club.