Rivers Hoopers advance to 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight

Defending champions Rivers Hoopers are through to the final eight of the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League after an 94-50 victory over Ebun Comets on Wednesday.

With four wins out of seven games, the 2024 BAL bronze winners made light work of the game against Comets to book their final eight spot.

Head coach Ogoh Odaudu used a 10-man rotation, with most of the starters resting for most part of the game.

Odaudu who is pleased to achieve their target of qualifying for the final eight, says it is not done yet.

‘That was our target from the beginning. We are happy we have accomplished it, but we still have a long way to go because we are trying to get better, and we are happy we are in the final 8.’

The Rivers State Sports Commissioner Barr. Christopher Green pledged to give 1 million naira for each win in the league as a way of motivating the team.

‘We will take each game as they come and win every game because there is an incentive for us for every game if we win, so we don’t want to throw away money like that,’ Odaudu said.

Five players scored double digits for the KingsMen in a game they dominated from start to finish.

Abel Offia led the way with 19 points; Michael Daramola and Ifeanyi Koko both scored 14 points apiece, while Michael Okiki and Patrick Abah scored 11 points each in the game.

Abah shot back-to-back threes to get Hoopers into a five-point lead in the opening quarter.

Hoopers extended the lead to 13 at the end of the first quarter, 26-13.

Just like the opening quarter, Hoopers through Offia knocked down consecutive threes at the start of the second quarter.

The KingsMen took advantage of Comets’ six-minute scoreless run to take the lead to 38-15.

A 34-point deficit at the end of the third quarter was a mountain too high for the coach Ayodele Bakare-led Ebun Comets.

Hoopers outscored Comets 18-8 in the fourth to pick up their fourth straight win in the conference and also remain unbeaten in the league.

Rivers Hoopers will play their remaining three games against Lagos Legends on Thursday, Kwara Falcons, and Hoops and Read on Friday and Saturday, respectively.