Rivers Hoopers 21-game winning streak ends

Rivers Hoopers 21-game winning streak ends

Defending champions of the Louis Edem Basketball Championship, Rivers Hoopers fell to a 62-53 defeat to Hoops and Read on Wednesday night in Lagos.
Hoopers, who started with a 10-0 run early in the opening quarter, finished with a seven-point lead, 20-13 going into the second.

Hoops and Read, however, rallied back into the game and took a one-point lead at the end of the first half (31-30).

The third quarter was a competitive one for both teams, but it was Hoopers who led by two, going to the fourth 44-42.

The KingsMen did little to extend their lead over the Lagos team, whom they had beaten twice in the last five months. They were outscored 9-20 in the last quarter.

Head coach of Rivers Hoopers, Ogoh Odaudu said they lost to a very hungry side.

''It happens in games; you win or lose, but my disappointment is that we didn't just do well at all. Hoops and Read had more energy than us; they wanted the game more than us, but we didn't do that.''

It is the first time since February 10, 2023, that Hoopers have lost a competitive game, which was the semi-final of the maiden edition of the Louis Edem Basketball Championship in Lagos.

Odaudu said it felt strange to lose their first game after 21 games.

''It is actually a strange feeling, and it is something that affected the boys too. They have not been in this position for a very long time, and they let the game slip from them.''

''We could have reclaimed the lead and won the game, but we didn't. I will make sure we rectify that problem,'' Odaudu added.

They will face Kwara Falcons next in their last group game tonight.