Rivers Hoopers Fall to US Monastir in BAL Playoff Showdown

Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers lost a tight game to US Monastir 89-81 in the BAL playoffs, despite standout performances from Raphiael Putney and Babacar Sané. The Hoopers held a lead at halftime but could not maintain their advantage. With this defeat, Monastir moves forward in the playoffs while Rivers prepares for their next match against Armée Patriotique Rwandaise.

In a nail-biting conclusion to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs, Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers fell 89-81 to US Monastir, striking a blow to their playoff dreams. Raphiael Putney was the standout performer for the Hoopers, putting in a stellar effort with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and more, but it was Babacar Sané of Monastir who shone brightest with 22 points and crucial plays in his limited time on the court.

Putney’s return to South Africa was like a homecoming. He made headlines not just for his skill on the court, but also for the emotional weight of the situation, following his previous departure from the Cape Town Tigers due to unpaid wages – an issue he claimed left him short $70,000. In front of a familiar crowd, Putney electrified the arena from the beginning, nailing two dunks and sinking two three-pointers in the opening quarter.

The match’s early moments were a back-and-forth affair. Madut Akec and Patrick Hardy Jr. contributed to the high-energy start, with Rivers Hoopers leading narrowly at 16-14 after the first quarter. But the second quarter saw Monastir mount a challenge through Sané and Firas Lahyani, while Putney and Akec kept up the pace for Rivers. By halftime, the tally stood at 36-32 in favor of the Hoopers.

In the third quarter, the action initially stagnated before Putney sparked the game back to life with consecutive three-pointers, igniting hopes for Rivers. As Monastir regained momentum with solid performances from Osiris Eldridge and Deng Acuoth, the lead shifted, edging to 66-62 for Monastir going into the last stretch.

Putney was relentless and fired a crucial three early in the final quarter to narrow the gap. However, Monastir’s scoring spread proved too much, especially with Sané executing timely two-pointers. Rivers Hoopers fought valiantly, but Monastir’s defense held firm, allowing them to stride to victory and secure their place in the upcoming quarter-final against Petro de Luanda.

“It was a good team win. We didn’t say anything special at half-time… The thing is that this group that we have at the BAL hasn’t played together since the last game [in Dakar],” Monastir head coach Vasco Curado reflected post-game. “I told the team that we need to be ourselves. We need to be confident… Even if we lose, it’s better [playing on our own terms].”

The action does not stop here; Rivers Hoopers are set to clash with Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) in a decisive match, marking yet another opportunity to redeem themselves in the ongoing tournament.

In this closely contested playoff bout, Rivers Hoopers demonstrated vigor, led by Raphiael Putney’s impressive performance, but ultimately fell short against Monastir, powered by Babacar Sané. With the defeat, Monastir advances in the playoffs while Rivers looks ahead to their next challenge against APR. The balance of team dynamics played a significant role, as highlighted by Monastir’s coach. Each team’s next steps will be crucial in the tournament’s unfolding narrative.

Original Source: www.espn.com