Rivers Hoopers blow 18-point lead, lose to ASPAC in overtime

Reigning Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers blew an 18-point lead to lose 80-77 in overtime to ASPAC of Benin Republic at the Louis Edem Basketball Championship Final on Saturday.

A 13-point lead at halftime was stretched to 18 at the start of the fourth quarter, but that didn’t take long before it was cut short by a resilient ASPAC team.

Hoopers had a scoreless run for over four minutes and finally scored with two minutes left to play at 64-61.

With 10 seconds remaining, ASPAC dropped a buzzer-beating three to tie the game at the end of the fourth and take it to overtime, 64-64.

Johnson Anaiye knocked down back-to-back threes in overtime to give Hoopers a one-point lead but ASPAC gave a quick response at the other end of the floor.

Michael Daramola’s clutch throw leveled the game 77-77 with 10 seconds left.

ASPAC, who had the last possession, shot a buzzer beater to seal the win.

Rivers Hoopers will return to Port Harcourt on Sunday.