Boissy, Badrush Ignite Al Ahli’s Stunning BAL Win Over APR to Stay Unbeaten in Nile Conference

Boissy, Badrush Ignite Al Ahli’s Stunning BAL Win Over APR to Stay Unbeaten in Nile Conference

APR entered the game without their most productive player, Aliou Diarra, who is currently averaging 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game due to injury. His absence was sorely missed as he provides defensive security, acts as an efficient rim protector, and commands the dunkers' spot.

The first quarter got off to a tactical start as both teams were still sizing up their matchups.  APR enjoyed the spoils of this quarter as they had a good lead and watched on as the leading scorer, Boissy, spent half the quarter on the bench.

APR had momentum, and Ndoye made one big defensive play after another. However, this intensity on defense led to foul troubles, and Dane Miller Jr. was up to two fouls halfway through the quarter and had to watch on from the bench.

Al Ahli took full advantage of this as they attacked the paint, and Badrush had three trips to the line to shoot free throws. APR captain William Robbins found his range on the 3 to give his team a 9-point lead. However, Boissy took a bold shot from range with 20 seconds on the shot clock but sank the three and the quarter ended at 17-11 to Al Ahli.

The defensive intensity was carried onto the second quarter, as there was nothing to separate the two teams. However, Ndoye got stripped after Al Ahli played a smothering defense and committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Agada, who opened the scoring in half from the charity stripe. The two teams began to trade buckets with Randle, who led the attack for APR after he dropped a three. The whistle did not spare Dane Miller Jr., as he collected his third foul and was subsequently sent back to the bench. Coach James Maye did not want to risk him committing more fouls.

Despite this, APR was resolute on both ends as Mpoyo hit a three from the corner before Noel stole the ball and slammed it down on the other end to give APR an 8-point lead. It was all Al Ahli from here as Boissy’s triple kickstarted their comeback. APR, up two with a few seconds to go, succumbed to Al Ahli’s valiant defensive effort, which gave way to Boissy to beat the buzzer with a three to give Al Ahli a 1-point lead. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this possession was the defense Sadi played to get the steal and assist Boissy while diving to keep the ball alive for the final shot. Al Ahli enjoyed a 41-40 lead at the half.

The third quarter got off to a really slow start, as we went two and a half minutes without a single point scored by either team. APR continued with its smothering defense, but it only landed in further trouble. Miller Jr. and Habimana each collected their fourth foul early in the quarter, leaving coach James Maye with no option other than to call them to the bench.
During this time, Al Ahli came out swinging as they began to build on their lead, with Badrush making some big plays on both ends of the floor.

The small lineup that Al Ahli went with paid dividends in the quarter. They were a lot faster in transition, smothered every ball handler, doubled in the low block, and rotated to close out on every shooter. Ndoye uncharacteristically missed two free throws at the end of the quarter and failed to cut the lead down to 7. Al Ahli went into the break leading 61-52, the game's biggest lead.

Badrush started the third quarter just as he ended the third, highly productive on both ends of the floor. However, Jason Randle and Obadiah Noel went on a quick 5-0run for APR and got the packed BK Arena to its feet, but the celebrations were shortly lived as Badrush and Agada hit back-to-back 3s for Al Ahli to give them a 16-point lead. There was a last-ditch effort from APR with a corner three from Mpoyo and another from the top by Uwitonze, but it was not enough to stop Badrush and Boissy, who were scorching hot on offense. Al Ahli rode the wave to their impressive 90-68 win over the hosts.

Al Ahli’s Anees Almansouri had the following to say after the game:

We came to win all the games. We won 3 and have 3 more to get it. We worked like 12 months to be here. We won’t surrender easily, we’re going to be in the final… We trust each other and no matter what happens in the game, we know we’re going to win. Every game, we get better and better and in 3 games, we’re going to get better.

Boissy led all scorers with 27 points and collected four steals. However, it was a team effort from the men from Libya as Badrush had 25 points and seven rebounds, while captain fantastic Sadi had 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The men from Libya now have one foot in the door to Pretoria. One win will seal the deal for them. APR, on the other hand, have their work cut out for them as they wait for the return of Aliou Diarra while navigating this terrain in an attempt to qualify for Pretoria.

[Photography Courtesy of The BAL]