Hoopers stand strong over host FUS Rabat to remain perfect

Two games into the 2025 Kalahari Conference and hosts FUS Rabat are still without a win.

The Moroccan champions did many things right to deny Rivers Hoopers on Sunday night, but the Hoopers proved to be more clinical in the final minutes of the game to win 88-82.

Being 0-2 with four games left in the conference wasn't exactly what FUS Rabat had envisioned, but that's the reality they find themselves in.

"This is the BAL. Each season is different from the last. We can't take anything for granted," said FUS Rabat forward Ayoub Nouhi when asked to reflect on his team's struggles after a decent campaign that saw them top the Kalahari Conference last season ahead of eventual champions Petro de Luanda..

On Sunday, FUS Rabat once again relied on their tireless home crowd; they moved the ball much better than Rivers Hoopers; even their bench outscored their opponents’ 24-5, but allowing 11 three-pointers and 16 offensive rebounds didn't do them any favors.

Not even a scoring run that gave the Moroccan champions a short-lived lead (64-63) later in the quarter was enough to change their fate.

Rivers Hoopers shot poorly from the free-throw line (11-for-27), but they were much better from behind the arc (11-for-24).

South Sudan shooting guard Madut Akec was 4-for-5 from three-point range to finish with a game-high 25 points, and teammate Peter Olisemeka added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Olisemeka told bal.nba.com that their togetherness was crucial in their second win in as many games.

"Staying together when times get tough, and we believe. We push together, we play together," he said, adding: "We have things we need to work on because this is a new team. All in all, I am very happy with the effort the boys are putting in.

The 2025 Kalahari Conference resumes on Tuesday with the two unbeaten teams, Al Ittihad and Rivers Hoopers facing each other while FUS Rabat take on Stade Malien.