Rivers Hoopers showed grit and composure to defeat Ebun Comets 65-49 and take a third win from as many games at the ongoing Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Phase Two.
After a slow start, the defending champions picked up the pace to lead by five points at the end of the first quarter with the score at 19-14.
However, the second quarter was one to forget, as the KingsMen could only manage nine (9) points (their lowest tally for an entire quarter), and Comets scored double the points with eighteen (18). This meant the hosts would trail at halftime for the first time this season, as the score was 32-28 in favour of Comets.
Speaking during his post-game interview, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted to his team’s slow start.
“I think we started badly. I noticed before jump-ball [that] the body attitude was not convincing; there was no energy at all. Everything was flat. That was why we struggled, and that’s something I have to work on.”
The KingsMen returned from the halftime break eager to prove a point and quickly regained the lead, with vice captain Buchi Nwaiwu firing from deep for a three-point lead which the defending champions maintained as the score stood at 46-43 entering the fourth.
Rivers Hoopers closed out the game with a nearly flawless performance in the fourth, which pleased Odaudu, as they notched up nineteen (19) points while limiting Comets to a meagre six (6) points the entire quarter to wrap up the encounter 65-49.
“Basketball is about stopping your opponent from scoring, not how many baskets you make.” I emphasised a lot about the defence, and they came, and they did it perfectly,” he said.
Up next for the KingsMen is a date with Lagos Legends, who are also unbeaten through the Phase Two games played so far, and with both teams already assured of their spots in the Playoffs Phase of the league (last eight), Odaudu said it will be a clash of egos, but one which he will treat like any other game.
“It will be treated just like any other game.” We’re going to do the same thing we always do, nothing different. It’s going to be a very intense game tomorrow because nobody wants to be beaten. It’s an ego battle right now, [and] we don’t want to disappoint our fans here at home. So we’re going to come all out and hopefully take the win,” he stated.
The game between Rivers Hoopers and Lagos Legends will take place by 5pm later today October 2, 2025, at the Indoor Basketball Court, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.
