RIVERS Hoopers got off their 2015/2016 Dstv basketball League final 8 play-offs with a 51-45 win over Gombe Bulls at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Lagos on Monday.
Oba Orinari led Hoopers with 14 points and 7 rebounds while Belema Alamina contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Alamina scored 13 –of -19 shots from the floor while Orinari made 14 out of his 30 shots in a game dominated by the former champions all through the game (14-12, 27-18, 41-32, 51-45).
The Port Harcourt side were able to dominate the game with some stunning rebounds from Ronald Alalibo and Orinari who both contributed 7 each in the game of the total 49 rebounds made by the entire team ten more than that of Gombe Bulls.
Although Hoopers suffered a total of 17 turnovers and failed on their free throws making 9 out of their 19 free throws, they successfully had the biggest scoring run and lead with a 12-0 run in the third quarter with less than 2 minutes left (39-27) but Bulls reduced the deficit going into the fourth.
Bulls tried to play catch up in the final quarter with a 5-0 run but it was rather too late as the Port Harcourt side ran away as winners of the second game in the opening day play off.
Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu was excited after the game.
“Today’s game was a very tough game. Gombe Bulls are not easy to play against because they finished on the podium last season. We had not seen them play in their conference so it was strange playing against them. We did all we were supposed to and we came out victorious,” said Odaudu.
Ahead of their next game against Oluyole Warriors on Tuesday, Odaudu is not ready to underrate the Ibadan boys.
“We played them doing the regular season and we won three out of four games. We also beat them at the conference play offs. I don’t want to underestimate anyone.” Odaudu said.
Gombe Bulls coach Godwin Raymond said his team had a terrible game against Hoopers.
“We didn’t just come out to play well and we didn’t shoot well. Our team is built around the shooters and we couldn’t shoot today and that’s why we lost.” Raymond explained.
Other results:
Plateau Peaks 48-78 Customs
Niger Potters 64-69 Kwara Falcons
Oluyole Warriors 39-91 Kano Pillars
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