The fairytale run for the Nigerian champions, Rivers Hoopers at the 2024 Basketball Africa League came to a halt after their 89-83 semi-final defeat to Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya on Wednesday in Kigali.
Hoopers, who were written off at the start of the season, had a 5-3 record going into the semi-final game and a quarter-final defeat of 2022 champions US Monastir of Tunisia.
Kelvin Amayo scored a team-high 26 points and added 15 rebounds for a double-double, with six assists and four steals to go with it.
Devine Eke also added a double-double, 25 points, and 12 rebounds in 42 minutes played on the floor.
Will Perry (16) and David Ike (10) were the other players who finished in double figures for Hoopers. Victor Anthony Koko and Peter Olisemeka both had nine rebounds each.
As a result of a poor start to the game in the first quarter, Rivers Hoopers trailed by 10 (14-24). The gap was later cut down to 3 with 22 seconds left to play at 21-24.
Al Ahly’s Kevin Marquis Murphy scored a buzzer-beater to extend their lead to seven at the end of the first quarter. It was further extended to a 16-point game, which was later cut down to 11 at halftime.
The KingsMen came back with better intensity as they shot three consecutive buckets to cut the gap to nine. Anthony was instrumental for Hoopers from inside the paint, picking up rebounds and helping out on defense.
The third quarter was the best quarter for Hoopers at both ends of the floor, as they outscored Al Ahly Benghazi 23-8.
Hoopers, who held a six-point lead at the start of the fourth, saw their lead cut down and later tied at 73-73 with 1:12 seconds left to play.
Al Ahly stretched the game to overtime and also shot better with 16 points scored while Hoopers struggled on the offensive end.
The Libyans did enough to earn their first ever appearance in the Basketball Africa League.
A disappointed Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu said his team will put the loss behind them and be back for the third place game.
”Nobody gave us a chance, but we will raise our heads high. Nobody thought we would be here today, and here we are.”
”It’s quite unfortunate the fairytale run has ended. We will try and make sure we come back and take the bronze medal game,” said Odaudu.
Next for Rivers Hoopers is the third-place game against Cape Town Tigers on Friday.
