Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers began their 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoff campaign with a disappointing 89-81 defeat to former champions US Monastir on Saturday evening at SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
The Hoopers impressed in the opening half, taking a 36-32 lead into the break, fuelled by sharp shooting from Raphael Putney, who scored 28 points and made five three-pointers.
His high-flying dunks and consistent perimeter shooting had Hoopers fans dreaming of a statement win.
However, the tide turned in the second half as US Monastir, champions in 2022, found their rhythm and overpowered the Nigerians with a well-timed response from their bench.
Coach Vasco Curado’s tactical changes paid dividends. Andrew Edogi, Joackim Haddad, and Babacar Sane combined for 39 points off the bench, shifting the game’s momentum.
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Edogi’s back-to-back three-pointers ignited a run that saw Monastir seize the lead midway through the third quarter.
Babacar Sane led the Tunisian side with 22 points, while Patrick Hardy Jr. and Osiris Eldridge added 17 and 10 points, respectively.
Rivers Hoopers struggled to respond to Monastir’s resurgence. Despite efforts from Madut Akec (15 points) and Peter Olisemeka (11 points, 10 rebounds), they could not claw back the deficit.
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Ahmed Doumbia’s buzzer-beating three-pointer narrowed the final margin but arrived too late to alter the outcome.
It was a familiar start for US Monastir, who opened last year’s playoffs with an upset victory over the eventual champions Petro de Luanda.
Rivers Hoopers will have a chance to rebound when they face Rwandan side APR in Monday’s quarterfinal.
