Rivers Hoopers bounce back to rout Kwara Falcons, through to third consecutive semis

In a battle of the only teams to have won the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship, Kwara Falcons were first on the board, making the first two baskets of the game to start with a 4-point lead.

However, an immediate response from Hoopers saw them take control of the game to finish the first quarter with a 7-point advantage at 27-20.

In the second quarter, the KingsMen had to shrug off some early foul trouble with improved defensive performance while also outscoring Kwara Falcons 24-15 to carry a 16-point lead into halftime, with the score at 51-35.

Before Wednesday’s loss against Hoops & Read, which marked an end to Rivers Hoopers’ 21-game unbeaten run, Kwara Falcons were the last team to inflict a loss on the KingsMen.

They did so in a semi-final matchup en route to winning the maiden edition of the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship in February 2023.

But history would not repeat itself as Hoopers continued their dominance over Kwara Falcons in the third, which finished 18-9 in favour of the KingsMen, with the fourth ending 18 points apiece.

The result means Rivers Hoopers will play in a third straight semi-final at the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship, where they will meet last year’s runners-up, the Spintex Knights of Ghana.

The semi-finals take place on Friday, April 5.