Debutant ASC Ville de Dakar take down another BAL champion

What a way to bounce back!

Two nights after losing by three (66-63) to fellow BAL debutants Kriol Star, ASC Ville de Dakar stunned reigning champions Petro de Luanda 65-64 on Tuesday night.

It was ASC Ville de Dakar's second win over a BAL champion, having defeated US Monastir 70-67 in the opening night of the 2025 Sahara Conference on Saturday.

The Senegalese champions took the floor in desperation mode, and a 7-0 lead three minutes into the game set the tone for a remarkable night for ASC Ville de Dakar.

However, Ville de Dakar nearly squandered their morale-boosting victory after committing two consecutive eight-second violations in the final moments of the game, which Petro de Luanda failed to capitalize on.

Was it Petro de Luanda's fault for failing to take the lead, or was it ASC Ville de Dakar's tenacity that sent the fans in the Dakar Arena into a frenzy as the final buzzer sounded? That question remains unanswered for now.

But there was no way ASC Ville de Dakar were going to lose their second game in a row and disappoint their fans.

"We have a model. Dogs on defense and having fun on offense, that's what we did," said Ater Majok.

ASC Ville de Dakar captain Bara Ndiaye, who contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists, said, "It's a moment of pride.

"We can see that the nation is behind us, regardless of their club affiliation. I call on the fans to continue to come and support us, the job is not done."

Makhtar Gueye led the hosts with 16 points, Abdoulaye Harouna scored 15 for his first win against Petro de Luanda in five meetings, and Ater Majok disrupted his former teammates' initiatives at both ends of the floor to finish with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot.

Patrick Gardner came off the bench to lead Petro de Luanda with 19 points and nine rebounds while Yanick Moreira, the other Petro de Luanda player to score in double digits, finished 11 points and seven rebounds.

Ndiaye went on to pay tribute to their loyal fabs, noting: "We lost one game [against Kriol] but the fans keep coming to every game. It was not the coaching staff's game; it was the players' game for everything we showed on the court.

"We are locked in and ready to keep working and keep winning."

Majok had two thunderous dunks in a row, including one that started with his own block shot.

A former Petro de Luanda star, Majok said ASC Ville de Dakar is on a mission for Senegal.

"We have a group of guys who are winners. More importantly, we are not just fighting for ourselves, we are not just fighting for the Ville de Dakar, we are fighting for Senegal.

"We have the hopes of a nation behind us and that's what drives us. We are trying to make everyone proud.”

Talking about a team he represented in 2023 BAL season, Majok noted: "This is my family. These are my boys. I played with them, but at the same time, business is business.

"This [Dakar] is my home. I feel at home and now I must defend my home. I am thankful to be around these guys."

The 6-foot-11 center limped off the court late in the game with apparent discomfort in his right leg, but later told BAL.NBA.COM that he will be ready for their next game on Thursday against Kriol Star.

"I pulled my adductors, but I will be fine. Treatment and a little rest and I will be fine."

It’s the third time that a BAL debutant beat a reigning champion since ABC Fighters upset US Monastir (90-74) in 2023 and City Oilers stunned then defending champions Al Ahly SC (82-81) in the 2024 Nile Conference in Cairo.

The 2025 Sahara Conference action resumes on Thursday with Petro de Luanda (1-2) going up against US Monastir (2-1) while ASC Ville de Dakar (2-1) take on Kriol Star (1-2).