Rivers Hoopers suffered their first loss in the 2024 Basketball Africa League Sahara Conference, falling 56-54 to AS Douanes on Thursday at the Dakar Arena in Senegal.

Despite winning their first three games, the Nigerian team needed a win in their fourth game to secure a spot in the playoffs with two games to spare.

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However, AS Douanes, seeking their second win of the campaign, dominated the first quarter, holding Rivers Hoopers to just five points while scoring 14. Hoopers bounced back in the second quarter, outscoring the hosts 21-19, but AS Douanes maintained a seven-point lead at halftime, 33-26.

Rivers Hoopers took control in the third quarter, outscoring AS Douanes 15-7 to lead 41-40. But the hosts regained the advantage in the final quarter, outscoring Hoopers 16-13 and winning the game by a narrow two-point gap.

Guard Will Perry was the top performer for the Hoopers, scoring a joint game-high 17 points and a game-high five assists. Peter Olisemeka had a double-double for the Nigerian, scoring 16 points coupled with a game-high 18 rebounds, while Kelvin Amayo dropped 11 points.

Madut Akec was named the Most Valuable Player of the Game after leading AS Douanes to their second win of the competition. He scored 17 points and added eight rebounds. The win keeps AS Douanes’ playoff hopes alive, while Rivers Hoopers will look to bounce back in their next game.