Basketball: Hoopers maintain winning streak in Atlantic Conference six playoffs

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Rivers Hoopers continued their impressive run in the Atlantic Conference six play-offs defeating Police Baton 80-63 points on Saturday in Ilorin.

Ikechukwu Benjamin scored a game high 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists, Emmanuel Balogun added 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists while Solomon Ajegbeyi made 14 points and 3 assists.

Benjamin’s double-double was his first of the 2017 Kwese Premier Basketball League Season.

The former Lagos Warriors guard who had a more quiet game in three previous games was in a spectacular fashion causing Police Baton problems whenever he was on the court.

He made 5 / 9 of his shot from the 3 point line against a police team who were battling for their first win in the Conference playoffs.

In the entire game, Hoopers made 9/21 from the arc and were very accurate from the free throw line missing just one of their 8 free throws in the game.

The Kings Men started slowly and gradually shook off their slow start to take the first quarter 18-12 but the second quarter was shaky with missed baskets and turnovers.

Oluwatobi Ariyibi and Malik Tella also made a double-double in the game. Ariyibi made 15 points and 12 rebounds while Tella added 10points with 12 rebounds.

With a 17 points gap recorded by the Hoopers late on, the Police Baton wore out and were left with little or nothing fight for in the game.

Rivers Hoopers coach Ogoh Odaudu wants to win the Conference six playoffs on Sunday.

“We are confident of winning the game because that was our aim coming into the playoffs. We want to come out the top of the Conference,” he said.

“The game against Police Baton was a bit of a struggle. We struggled in the first half but turned things around in the third quarter.”

Kwara Falcons, Rivers Hoopers, Hoops & Read and Nigeria Customs have all qualified for the final 8 from the Atlantic Conference. While Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Gombe Bulls and Plateau Peaks complete the list from the Savannah Conference.

Meanwhile, Kano pillars emerged champions of the Savannah Conference six play offs in Kaduna after winning all five games played.

Sunday’s last round of games in Ilorin between Rivers Hoopers and Kwara Falcons will decide who emerges champions of the Atlantic Conference.

Other matches to be played include; Nigeria Customs who are up against Hoops & Read while Police Baton will face Oluyole Warriors.

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