By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 9, 2025
Al Ittihad Alexandria extended their perfect start to the 2025 Basketball Africa League with a commanding 100-80 victory over Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports.
The Egyptian side, who have now won all three of their games, proved too strong for Hoopers, who have also won their previous two games in the Kalahari Conference.
Rivers Hoopers came out with intent in the opening quatre, staying competitive with Al Ittihad and managing to keep the score tight at 23-25.
However, despite their performance, they struggled to contain Al Ittihad’s offensive power, especially from Kyle Vinales, who had a game-high 26 points.
The Egyptians pulled away in the second quartre, with the combination of Vinales’ perimeter shooting and a series of turnovers from the Hoopers giving them a 10-point advantage at halftime, leading 52-42.
The third quartre saw Rivers Hoopers attempt to claw back into the game, but Al Ittihad’s defense remained resolute to halt Madut Akec and Raphael Putney, who each scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, making it difficult for the Nigerian side to close the gap.
The Egyptians then capitalised on their dominance in transition, pushing the score to 81-65 by the end of the third period.
In the final quatre, Rivers Hoopers made a last-ditch effort to reduce the deficit, but Al Ittihad’s composure and strong offensive execution allowed them to maintain their advantage. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Egyptians had recorded a comfortable 100-80 win.
Al Ittihad’s victory leaves them with a perfect record of three wins from three, while Rivers Hoopers drop to 2-1, with their first loss of the group phase. The Nigerian team will need to regroup and adjust their strategy ahead of their next match against host team FUS Rabat, while Al Ittihad will look to continue their dominant form as they aim for a strong finish in the group stages against Stade Malien.
Source Punch Ng
Posted April 9, 2025
You may also like...
I Want To Raise Clean Sheet Machines —...
Man Utd confirm deal for Wolves' Cunha
Peace at Last between Mourinho and Wenger
Chile 2015 U-17 World Cup: We are ready...
Wolves Sign Raul Jimenez for Club Record £30m...
Nigerian Wheelchair Tennis Player, Ukari Seeks Asylum In...

Lookman targets UCL semi-final spot in Barca clash
Malawi unveil squad for Falconets clash
Ghanaian footballer killed in armed robbery attack
Table Tennis stars battle for national title in Osun
Nigerian blind sambist wins gold at World Sambo Cup
Chelsea, City clash headlines EPL actions
Okoye targets clean record Milan in clash
NFF unveils Flamingo squad for W’Cup qualifying camp
Real Madrid denies plans to appoint sporting director
UBA Pensions ready for annual sports meet
Forget Wilder, fight me; Fury tells Joshua
Onuachu lacks rhythm in Eagles setup – Lawal
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,699 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,025 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,943 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,541 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,471 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,373 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,232 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,778 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,965 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,473 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,880 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,349 views)