Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers took a step closer to securing a playoff berth in the 2025 Basketball Africa League following a hard-fought 79-71 win over Kalahari Conference hosts FUS de Rabat on Thursday.
The KingsMen relied on a big fourth quarter to rally from five points down to defeat the Moroccans for the second time in less than a week.
FUS led 36-31 into the halftime break, and with an even 22-22 score in the third quarter, the Hoopers needed a big performance in the final period to grab the much-needed win.
They, however, found their rhythm, holding the Moroccans to just 13 points in the fourth while scoring 26 as they clinched the victory at the Salle Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
We bounced back Nigeria!!! We did a double over FUS Rabat to move 3-1 in the Kalahari Conference and we are close to South Africa.
Naija una dey smell am from here? #TheBAL #BAL5 #TheKingsMen pic.twitter.com/K1bbqxzSYm
— Rivers Hoopers (@RiversHoopers) April 10, 2025
Ogoh Odaudu’s were led by 17 points and eight rebounds from Madut Akec, while Kelvin Amayo and Raphiael Putney finished with 14 points each, with the latter registering a game-high four blocks.
Peter Olisemeka, meanwhile, had a monster game for the Hoopers with 13 points and 12 rebounds, with Maxi Munanga also pouring in 13 points.
Ivorian Mike Fofana led FUS de Rabat with 14 points, while Yacine Baeri added 13 as the hosts dropped their third game to remain third in the conference.
The Rivers Hoopers, however, sit in second place, behind Egypt’s Al-Ittihad Alexandria, who secured a 91-68 blowout win over bottom-placed Stade Malien, thanks to a 22-point display from George King.
