Hoopers back home, after loss, win posting

Rivers Hoopers returned to their base in Port Harcourt on Sunday after a short tour of Lagos area in the NBBF/Kwese Sports Premier Basketball League. The two-time Nigerian league champions played against Customs and Police Baton teams in the three-day tour.

Solomon Ajegbeyi of the Hoopers shot 14 points against his former team Police as the Port Harcourt team beat the Police on Saturday following the loss to the Customs on Thursday. Ajegbeyi also grabbed 17 rebounds in the 75-63 victory at the Sports Hall of National Stadium, Lagos.

The first quarter ended 18-6 against the hosts but they had a better second quarter with 17-16. The third quarter was not a fair deal for them and the fourth quarter battle to force the match into overtime failed.

Earlier on Thursday Okiki Afuape had hit 25 points to power Customs to a 60-49 points victory over the Hoopers. Hoopers had taken the lead through the first and second quarters to the admiration of their teeming fans in Lagos but former national off guard Scott Nnaji rallied his back on the road to victory.

Hoopers left Lagos Sunday morning and confirmed their arrival in Port Harcourt later in the day via their Twitter handle.

“We are back in Port Harcourt. Thank God for journey mercies.

“2 games, 1 win, 1 loss, 26 games to go. Next is Kwara Falcons on Thursday,” they tweeted.