CDS Independence Basketball Championship: Rivers Hoopers dig deep to defeat Gboko City Chiefs

Rivers Hoopers beat Gboko City Chiefs 51-46 in their opening game of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Basketball Championship at the Mo Arena in Abuja on Wednesday.

It was not the best of games for the KingsMen, who were playing their first competitive game after the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in May.

They turned over the ball multiple times and gave out too many possessions to their opponents from Gboko.

The titled men held a four-point lead for most part of the game, leaving Hoopers to chase the game too.

With a four-point deficit (36-40) into the fourth quarter, the KingsMen were left with no choice but to control the game if they wanted a different outcome.

Hoopers, who tied the game 44-44 with 1:37 minutes remaining, outscored the Chiefs 7-2 from the line to pick up their first win of the competition against the determined City Chiefs.