Lagos Legends Basketball Club halted Rivers Hoopers’ quest for a third consecutive Nigeria Basketball Premier League title, beating them 74-72 in a nail-biting 2025 Final 4 decider in Port Harcourt on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Both teams came into the final game of the season, chasing next year’s Basketball Africa League ticket after two wins in their opening two matches. Lagos Legends, who beat Hoopers 80-79 during the final eight last month to end their three-year unbeaten run, started the game like a house on fire, racing to an early lead as Hoopers trailed for most part of the first quarter. The Hoopers, however, nicked the first quarter 20-19, but they were given a hot chase in the second quarter by Lagos Legends, who ensured they went into the break 32-32. Rivers Hoopers maintained a tiny lead in the third quarter, keeping the score 52-49, but the Lagos Legends were saving their best for the last. Lagos Legends rallied late and tied the game 61-61 at some point. They took a one-point lead in another moment before Hoopers pegged them to 70-70 with 39 seconds to the buzzer. Hoopers got two additional points but the Lagos Legends scored four more points at the death to win the game and prevent the 2024 BAL bronze medallists from winning a third title. The result also meant Lagos Legends have beaten Hoopers twice in three of their meetings this season. Hoopers’ only win over them was 89-70 during the Inter-Group Phase. Ultimately, Lagos Legends have also picked the ticket to next year’s BAL, taking over from Rivers Hoopers who have attended the last two editions.
Courtesy of: punchng.com