Perry ties BAL all-time scoring record, Beira stay in hunt for playoff berth

William Perry had a performance to remember on Sunday after leading Ferroviario da Beira in a must-win clash against SLAC.

Perry not only tied the BAL record for most points scored in a game, but he also set a record for most three-point made in a game.

The American guard was 9 for 14 from beyond the arc to finish with BAL tie-record of 41 points to help Beira beat SLAC 109-97.

Perry joined Terrell Stoglin in the list of the BAL all-time scoring leaders.

Beira desperately needed someone to take a leading role after wasting a 22-point lead and trail 95-92 later in the fourth.

Najael Young was Beira’s primary scorer until he hurt his ankle in third quarter.

And with Makhtar Gueye fouling out of the game after contributing 15 points and 8 rebounds, things looked bleak for the Mozambican champions.

Then, Perry took it personally.

He hit 4 of his 9 three-points in the fourth and Beira re-emerged in the game.

“Will carried us. Will took it on upon himself,” Young said, adding: “It was a good win for us.”

Beira entered the game 0-2 after losses to Al Ahly and Petro de Luanda, and beating SLAC was a must-do task.

And they transformed their desperation into a remarkable victory.

Young said he had to prioritize his team’s effort: “My team was in a battle. I would rather be there to give my team something compared to just sitting out.”

“We needed it (that win) to keep ourselves in the race to go to Rwanda, that’s our goal, to get to the playoffs,” said Young who scored 24 of his 26 points in the first three quarters.

Dan Miller finished with a team-high of 30 points, Uchenna Iroegbu added 29, but the game belonged to Perry.

Miller praised Perry’s display: “Towards the fourth quarter Will [Perry]carried his team. He had an amazing night. He made a couple of big shots.”

“In the first half they played harder than us. At the beginning of the game it was definitely mental lapses.”

“As much as people want to say that I had an amazing night, he [Perry] just wanted his team to win.”

Miller said SLAC should be 2-0, but right now they have their backs against the wall. “We just need to keep fighting. We just need to come out and keep playing,” Miller explained.

Beira improved to 1-2 while SLAC dropped to 0-2.