Lagos Legends clinched Nigeria’s ticket to the 2026 Basketball Africa League after edging Rivers Hoopers 74–72 in a tense Final 4 decider in Port Harcourt.
Both teams arrived on Sunday with perfect records from their opening two games, knowing a BAL slot hinged on the result.
The Legends who had ended Hoopers’ three-year unbeaten run during the final eight last month started brightly but still trailed 20–19 at the end of the first quarter.
They pushed again in the second quarter, ensuring the game was level at 32–32 by half-time. Rivers Hoopers held a slim 52–49 edge heading into the final quarter, but Lagos Legends kept themselves within touching distance.
The Lagos side tied the game at 61–61, then nudged ahead before Hoopers forced another deadlock at 70–70 with 39 seconds left. Hoopers added two points, but the Legends delivered four clutch points in the dying moments to snatch the win.
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The victory means Lagos Legends have beaten Rivers Hoopers twice in their three meetings this season, with Hoopers’ only win coming in the Inter-Group Phase.
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The result ends Hoopers’ bid for a third straight Premier League title and sends Lagos Legends to the 2026 BAL as Nigeria’s new representatives.
