Former NBA guard Ben Uzoh became the first player to score in the the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL), but the historic game belonged to host Patriots Basketball Club of Rwanda.
BAL: Rivers Hoopers make history despite opening day defeat
The Hoopers had a promising start but fatigue and their recent inactivity ensured they lost steam
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Rivers Hoopers, at the weekend, started their campaign at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on a losing note, but they still set a record for themselves in the new tournament.
The Nigerian team were routed 83-60 by Patriots of Rwanda in the opening game of the Basketball Africa League at the Kigali Arena on Sunday. Although the Hoopers had a promising start, they struggled to adjust to the Patriots’ aggressive defence.
Taren Sullivan led the KingsMen with 15 points and six rebounds in the defeat.
Former NBA player Ben Uzoh became the first player to score in the newly-created Basketball Africa League (BAL) (www.theBAL.com), but the historic game belonged to host Patriots Basketball Club of Rwanda who defeated Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers 83-60 on Sunday at Kigali Arena.
Although the Hoopers had a promising start, they struggled to adjust to the Patriots’ aggressive defence.
And turning the ball over 20 times didn’t help.
Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, who came off the bench, and Prince Ibeh led the Patriots comeback, and the Nigerians couldn’t find any answers.
And to make matters worse for the Hoopers, they got in foul trouble early in the second quarter, and things were never the same.
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