FIBA ABL: River Hoopers Beat SLAC 76-74

Rivers Hoopers recorded their first win at the ongoing FIBA Africa Basketball League tournament defeating SLAC of Guinea 76-75 in a pulsating Group A encounter reports Completesports.com.

Rivers Hoopers had lost their first game to host AS Sale of Morocco 88-59 at Salle Bouazzaoui, Morocco last Friday just as SLAC of Guinea suffered a80-65 loss to JS Kairouan of Tunisia

Abdul Yahaya scored 19 points and eight rebounds while Precious Osigbodi got off the bench to score 15 points and seven rebounds, Emmanuel Balogun had 15 points while Victor Anthony Koko made 13 rebounds and nine points, one short of a double-double.

Rivers Hoopers opened a six-point lead going to the break at 44-38, but returned for the third quarter and were outscored by SLAC 20-15.

The Nigerian representatives overcame a nervy last 60 seconds of the game to clinch their first win at the FIBA Africa Basketball League.

For SLAC, Shaquille Mc Farlan scored a game-high 24 points and four assists, Malick Kone had 12 points and six rebounds while Bachir Bella added 10 points and seven rebounds for SLAC.

Rivers Hoopers will play their last group game on Sunday (today) against JS Kairouan of Tunisia for a place in the Elite 8 of the FIBA Africa Basketball League.

By Johnny Edward