Randall's 38 put RSSB Tigers on brink of BAL semifinals with 23-point rout of FUS Rabat

Craig Randall II (193-SG-1996, college: UT Martin) exploded for 38 points as RSSB Tigers dismantled FUS Rabat 95-72 in Game 1 of the Basketball Africa League quarterfinal playoffs on Friday, leaving the Moroccan side needing a 24-point victory in Sunday's second leg to avoid elimination.
The left-handed guard shot 11-of-28 from the field including 6-of-19 from three-point range before a packed BK Arena crowd that included Rwandan President Paul Kagame and BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. It was the fourth time in five games that Randall had surpassed 37 points confirming his status as the most dangerous scorer in the competition.
The Tigers led from tip to buzzer but FUS Rabat stayed within striking distance through most of the first half. Then a devastating 14-4 run in the final five minutes before halftime blew the game open, and the Moroccan side playing without leading scorer Abdoulaye Harouna and William Perry (183-F-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) never recovered.
Teafale Lenard Jr. (203-F-2002, college: Memphis) made his return to BAL action for the first time since helping the Tigers beat Petro de Luanda in Pretoria on March 29, contributing nine points on 3-of-5 shooting in just under nine first-half minutes before an ankle injury limited his involvement. The 2.05m swingman was so confident in Sunday's outcome that he joked he might not be needed for Game 2.
RSSB's bench outscored FUS Rabat's reserves 41-21, underlining the depth advantage the hosts hold in the series. For FUS Rabat (3-3 overall), Kuany Kuany (210-F-2000, college: VCU) led with 12 points and nine rebounds but received insufficient support.
The Tigers (5-1) need only to avoid a 23-point loss on Sunday to advance to the BAL semifinals.