Rivers Hoopers improved to a 2-0 mark after a 42-25 win over Spintex Knights of Ghana at the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship on Monday.
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The KingsMen dropped their first game at the ongoing tournament as they lost 66-78 to Benue Braves in the last group game of the campaign.
The Port Harcourt based side had a slow start and were down by 19 points in the first quarter (8-25), but reduced it to eight at the end of third quarter (36-44)
The first semifinal match on Monday saw Nigeria Customs Service winning the first two quarters by 15-11 and 24-22.
Owen Oriakhi led the way for Hoopers in the decider with 24 points while also pulling down three rebounds.
The win against Police Baton was Rivers Hoopers’ second win in two games.
While Savanna Conference winners Kano Pillars will battle it out with Lagos Islanders, Kwara Falcons and Nigeria Customs in Group B.
Rivers Hoopers confirmed their status as the Atlantic Conference Kings after an eight-game unbeaten streak to confirm their place in the national finals which will serve as qualifiers for the 2021 Basketball African League organised by FIBA.
On a day Rivers Hoopers struggled on shooting and committed too many turnovers, they had to depend on their defense and front court to get the job done.
Emmanuel Balogun led other three Hoopers’ players to finish on double figures. He made 14 points, including four 3-pointers in the game.
Ikechukwu scored 22 points and hit 6 of Hoopers’ 10 from the three-point line with 2/2 from the free throw line.
Assistant Coach of the Senior Men National team, Ogoh Odaudu, brought his experience to the bare alongside Benjamin Ikechukwu and Victor Koko who were members of the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket as they dominated the team from Enugu.
The KingsMen who were at the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League held in Kigali this year, ensured they began their NPBL outing with a comprehensive win against Coal City.
The rumour is unfounded and an imagination of some people whose aim is targeted at confusing clubs and players already preparing for the league.
Daniel Utomi who plies his trade with Vichy Clermont in France will be joined by Ikenna Ndugba, Emmanuel Omogbo of Apoel BC of Cyprus and Benjamin Emegolu (Rouen Basket Metrople, France) after days of training in the United States of America
The KingsMen got the better of their opponent from Madagascar from both ends, leading in steals (8) and blocks (4).
Former Toronto Raptors guard Ben Uzoh and Chris Daniels both combined for 45 points, in what was an improved performance from the KingsMen.
Odaudu admitted that his side was “really bad” against Patriots and failure to continue the first quarter momentum paved way for Patriots to capitalise on their lapses.
Taren Sullivan led the KingsMen with 15 points and 6 rebounds in the defeat.
All attention will be on the only game of the day against the host, which will be played behind closed doors inside the BAL bubble.