Rivers Hoopers became the first Nigerian team to reach the semi-finals of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a 92-88 victory over US Monastir of Tunisia on Monday.
Point guard Will Perry led the charge, scoring 33 points, grabbing five rebounds, and providing five assists, securing Rivers Hoopers’ spot in the BAL last four. The milestone win took place during the ongoing tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
Next up, Rivers Hoopers will face Libyan side Al Ahly, who advanced by defeating Egypt’s Al Ahly 86-77, in a bid to secure a place in the final.
In the other semi-final, South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers await the winner of the quarter-final matchup between Senegalese side AS Douanes and Angolan team Petro de Luanda.
Reflecting on the win, Perry expressed his joy, stating, “I am feeling good, I’m really happy for Nigeria. They deserve it.” On the prospects of reaching the final, he added, “We will try to rest and I pray we win again.”
