NBPL: Rivers Hoopers Begin Phase Two With Win Over Hoops & Read

NBPL: Rivers Hoopers Begin Phase Two With Win Over Hoops & Read

Precious Oham

Reigning champions Rivers Hoopers began Phase Two of the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) with a 67-58 win over Hoops & Read, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The game, which was played at the Indoor Basketball Court, on 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, began with a burst of energy as both teams went at each other inside the first few minutes.

But the experience of Captain Victor Koko and the industry of Victor Sunday combined for Hoopers' first thirteen points as the KingsMen closed the first quarter 17-11.

The beaten 2024 NBPL finalists came back firing, and after back-and-forth exchanges in the opening minutes of the second quarter, went on a 9-2 run to cut what was a 9-point deficit to 2 points at 27-25.

However, the KingsMen, inspired by a dominant Buchi Nwaiwu who bagged six points in the paint, raced into halftime with the scores at 36-28.

The visitors stunned the home crowd three minutes into the third, as they enjoyed an 11-3 scoring run to tie the game at 39-39, which prompted Coach Ogoh Odaudu to call timeout.

The 2024 Basketball Africa League Coach of the season then rang changes from the bench, re-introducing Mustapha Oyebanji and Michael Okiki who scored six of his team-leading thirteen points, as the KingsMen powered to a 13-0 run before closing out the third 54-44.

The hosts executed a measured fourth quarter to wrap up a 9-point victory at 67-58 while Lagos Legends beat Comets 70-46 in the day's opening fixture.