Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers defeated Tunisia’s US Monastir to finish the first round of the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a perfect record.
2022 BAL champions, US Monastier have faced a tough start in this year’s tournament, losing their first three games and finishing the first round without a single victory.
In their match against Rivers Hoopers, Monastir struggled to march the opposition despite efforts from their head coach Mohamed Kirdani.
Monastir made significant lineup changes and timeouts, but still could not match the urgency and efficiency of the Nigerian team.
Rivers Hoopers, on the other hand, showcased their strength from the beginning. They started the tournament with a convincing 77-68 win against AS Douanes.
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Thanks to Kelvin Amayo’s impressive performance, River Hoopers maintained their momentum throughout the first round, securing victories in all three matches.
On Tuesday, May 7, Kelvin Amayo, with his ability to score from various parts of the court, proved to be a challenge for Monastir’s defense, scoring a game-high 27 points. His remarkable performance, coupled with contributions from other players like Perry, Eke, and Olisemeka, propelled River Hoopers to victory.
With their unbeaten streak, Rivers Hoopers became the only team in the 2024 Sahara Conference to complete the first round without a loss. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on River Hoopers as they continue their quest for BAL glory.
After a rest day, the second round of the Sahara Conference will begin, with US Monastir facing Rwanda’s APR and Rivers Hoopers taking on hosts AS Douanes.
