Eldridge puts on a three-point show to send Monastir to Pretoria

Former Basketball Africa League (BAL) champion US Monastir won the 2025 Sahara Conference after defeating hosts ASC Ville de Dakar 77-68 on the final day of competition.

Paced by Osiris Eldridge, US Monastir finished their campaign with a 4-2 win-loss record, the best of the four teams.

Eldridge put on a three-point show, shooting 6-for-11 from deep to finish with a game-high 22 points.

As much as ASC Ville de Dakar hoped to mount a comeback, Eldridge kept US Monastir out of reach.

By the end of the third quarter, Eldridge was 5-for-8 from behind the arc.

Babacar Sane shot 3-for-6 from long range to finish with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Patrick Hardy Jr. and Deng Acuoth finished with 12 points apiece for the victors.

ASC Ville de Dakar guard Will Perry led the hosts with 20 points and Makhtar Gueye added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

US Monastir advances to the 2025 BAL Playoffs, while ASC Ville de Dakar becomes the second Senegalese team after Dakar Universite Club - DUC - to miss the postseason after hosting the Sahara Conference at the Dakar Arena.

US Monastir will be joined in the postseason by two conference teams - Petro de Luanda (3-3) and Kriol Star (3-3).

Patrick Hardy Jr, who played a major role in US Monastir's Sahara Conference campaign, later told BAL.NBA.COM that it was mission accomplished.

"This was the goal to come here. We are ecstatic," said an elated Hardy Jr.

US Monastir had its ups and downs in Dakar, but Hardy Jr. noted: "Staying together, not getting separated, really leaning on each other when we faced adversity was key. Most of all, we had fun. We are excited."

The point guard insisted he didn't play his best game, "but we got the win, that's what matters," he stressed.

Facing ASC Ville de Dakar and its home crowd, Hardy Jr. admitted: "It was a big challenge. The crowd always brings them back and they gave them an extra boost; it was a tough battle, but we were able to do it".

Looking ahead to the 2025 BAL playoffs, the playmaker said they are "ready to go to the next competition, perform and show that we belong".