Basketball: Rivers Hoopers emerge Crown Elite champions

By our reporter On Feb 6, 2022 0

Rivers Hoopers have been crowned champions of the 2022 edition of the Crown Elite Basketball Championship in Lagos.

The 4-time champions of the Nigerian league beat the UNILAG Basketball team 79-71 in a keenly contested final on Saturday.

Five players finished in double figures for the Port Harcourt-based Club.

Owen Oriakhi led the way with 17 points and shot three 3-pointers in the first quarter for the Hoopers.

Buchi Nwaiwu who was awarded the MVP added 16 points while Simon Owoicho had 10 points and shot three 3-pointers in the game.

Emmanuel Balogun contributed 16 points and hit 4 threes while Johnson Anaiye had 12 points and made three 3-pointers.

The KingsMen who were down by 3 at half time (37-40) went 11-0 to lead by 5 at the start of the third quarter.

With 3:31 left to play, UNILAG tied the game 67-67 but the KingsMen made a 12-4 run to emerge as winners of the 5-day tournament held in Lagos.

As winners of the competition, the KingsMen walked away with the sum of 1.5 million naira.