NBPL: Rivers Hoopers edge Kwara Falcons in nail-biter to seal group phase sweep
Rivers Hoopers held off a fierce late rally from Kwara Falcons to clinch a dramatic 88-86 victory, completing a double over the 2022 champions and closing out Group Phase play in the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) with a flawless record.
The KingsMen entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable nine-point lead and later stretched it to fifteen, seemingly cruising to victory. But Kwara Falcons had other plans. A spirited 10-4 scoring run, capped by a clutch three-pointer, tied the game at 84–84 with under two minutes left, sending fans into a frenzy.
In the dying moments, Rivers Hoopers leaned on their veterans. Vice-captain Nwaiwu Buchi Vincent, Victor Sunday, and John Idoga delivered decisive plays to snatch the win and preserve their unbeaten streak.
Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu attributed the tense finish to overconfidence.
‘We got a bit too relaxed. After beating them by 22 points just two days ago, the players assumed it would be a repeat. But Kwara gave us a wake-up call, and I’m proud we held our nerve,’ he said.
Victor Sunday led all scorers with 25 points, including eight in the final quarter. Favour Komene dazzled with a career-high 20 points and six three-pointers, earning praise from Odaudu:
‘Favour’s growth is phenomenal. He’s never played in any league before, yet he’s performing like a seasoned pro. With more practice, he’ll be unstoppable.’
Other standout performances included Idoga (16 pts), Nwaiwu (11 pts), and Sani Samuel (10 pts), as five KingsMen hit double figures.
Looking ahead to the Inter-Group Phase (24 Sept-5 Oct), Odaudu is focused on refining team chemistry and overcoming early challenges.
‘Fatigue, limited prep time, and a new roster all played a role. But we’ll use this break to regroup, train hard, and come back stronger.’
Port Harcourt will host the next phase, welcoming Atlantic Conference contenders including Comets, Lagos Legends, and Hoops and Read.
