NBBF Final 4: Rivers Hoopers Top Log, As Chiefs Halt Customs Unbeaten Run

NBBF Final 4: Rivers Hoopers Top Log, As Chiefs Halt Customs Unbeaten Run

Precious Oham

Rivers Hoopers currently top the standing with 4 points after defeating Hoops & Read 74-68 on Day Two of the Premier Basketball League Final Four, on Friday, writes BSNSports.com.ng.

The KingsMen who won against Gboko City Chiefs on Day One, knew a win against Hoops & Read would put them in the driver's seat, after the Chiefs had earlier inflicted a first defeat of the season on Nigeria Customs in the day's first encounter.

With that at the back of their minds, Rivers Hoopers started the game strongly and opened up a 7-point lead to end the first quarter 20-13.

The KingsMen improved offensively, outscoring Hoops & Read 24-16 in the second quarter, to take a 15-point lead into the halftime break.

The third quarter started as a ding dong affair as both teams went back and forth, but Hoops & Read capitalized on a combination of poor shooting and decision making by Rivers Hoopers to mastermind a remarkable turnaround as they cut the hosts lead by 10 points, to take the third quarter 22-12.

Hoops & Read enjoyed their best moment of the game when they outscored Rivers Hoopers 11-2 in the last five minutes of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter made for a tense finish as Hoops & Read put the boisterous crowd on the edge of their seats when they cut the deficit to within 2 points during the final moments of the game. However an upset was not to be as the KingsMen held on to finish the fourth quarter 18-17.

The win was Hoopers' 12th consecutive victory overall and second against Hoops & Read having also beaten them in the Atlantic Conference phase, as they maintained their unbeaten run this season.

Earlier in the first game of the Day Two, Gboko City Chiefs upset the odds by defeating Nigeria Customs 72-66 in an entertaining contest between Savannah Conference rivals.

Having suffered a narrow loss to Rivers Hoopers in their first game, the Chiefs came into the encounter needing nothing short of victory, and duly delivered.

The Chiefs took the first quarter 15-13, but lost the advantage in the second quarter when Customs regrouped to outscore Chiefs 19-16 and ensured both teams went into the break level on 31 points apiece.

Things remained tight after the restart, as Chiefs put their noses back in front to lead by 3 points at the end of the third, winning the third quarter 20-18.

Chiefs then enjoyed their best scoring run at the start of the fourth quarter, going 11-0 at one point to open up a 7-point lead with five minutes left on the clock. Staring down the barrel of a first defeat, Customs went on a run of their own in the final moments of the game but Chiefs held on for a famous 72-66 victory.

The Chiefs must now win their final match of the tournament against Hoops & Read by 3pm today, and hope that Customs defeat Rivers Hoopers in their final fixture by 5pm to stay in contention for the league title.