Patrick McGlynn’s 29-point explosion led Kriol Star to a dramatic 95-92 OT win over Dakar. With both BAL Sahara Conference teams now 2-2, playoff qualification for Pretoria remains wide open heading into a decisive final weekend.
Last Updated on
May 2, 2025
With both teams looking to book a spot in Pretoria, the game got off to a scorching hot start. Patrick McGlynn opened the proceedings with a 3-pointer. This has become a trademark of this side, as they rely a lot on perimeter shooting. After Will Perry converted 2 of his three free throws in the first minute, the game went scoreless for another 3 minutes. Then came the storm as Dakar went on a 9-0 run.
The teams then began to trade buckets. Both teams seemed to have calibrated their shots as they started to shoot from the perimeter as if at point-blank range. However, Ater Majok would close off the quarter with a perfect trip to the free-throw line to give his team a 23-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The quarter could not start any better for either team as they carried over their shooting into this quarter when they exchanged 4 3-pointers in just the first two minutes. They were shooting from range, and the crowd loved every second of it. Ivan Almeida added three more points to his tally to bring his team to within 3 points, but Harouna Abdoulaye had tricks up all his sleeves as he found ways to score that most would rule out.
However, Patrick McGlynn could do no wrong from almost anywhere on the court. He was unstoppable, especially with his 3-point shooting abilities and wit, allowing him to slice through the defense and bury the mid-range. Ater Majok continued to rock the rim possession after possession with his athletic prowess on full display. This time, Ivan Almeida closed off the quarter with a perfect trip to the free-throw line, bringing the game to within 1 point at 40-39 for the home side.
Neither team could miss from range as they opened the quarter with a barrage of 3-point shots. Although it was no surprise to see McGlynn and Ivan Almeida in the mix, Ater Majok joined the party, too, as he converted one from beyond the arc. However, the sleeping giant, Makhtar Gueye, slowly marked territory as he began to find his range from beyond the arc.
There was little to separate the two teams, but the Kriol Stars rode the wave and took the lead at 54-51 halfway through the quarter. Jose Dó came on and immediately found his rhythm from the perimeter. Both teams exchanged blows and only had 1 point separating the two teams at the end of the quarter, with the score at 68-67 in favour of Kriol Star. Patrick McGlynn had the hot hand, as he had already recorded 19 points by the end of the third quarter.
Makhtar Gueye opened the quarter by converting three free throws when Joel Almeida fouled him on a 3-point attempt. Joel Ntambwe, who had only scored 3 points at this stage, opened the scoring for Kriol with a mid-range jump shot. Samba Fall, who had a hot hand, continued his streak when he made a 3-point shot. But McGlynn paid Dakar for fouling him on the shot as he converted all three free throws to tie the game at 73 apiece.
They hit a trough when neither team could score for 3 minutes before Harouna Abdoulaye drained a three-pointer to give his team a two-point lead with 4 minutes remaining. It became a management game as neither team wanted to be the first to make a mistake. Will Perry drained a 3 to give his team the lead again.
Will Perry played the entire fourth quarter on four fouls but somehow avoided drawing another foul whilst still playing good defense and finding ways to contribute offensively. Ivan Almeida’s dunk, which lasted 26 seconds, tied the game and ultimately decided the game at the end of regulation. After 12 lead changes and ties, the game would be decided in overtime.
Joel Ntambwe, who had been quiet during regulation, opened the scoring for his team in OT. Kriol enjoyed the lead but could not get comfortable because it was only a one-possession game. This was natural terrain for a guy like Gueye, who thrives when games are tight and have so much at stake. He made two free throws to bring his team to within one point. He followed this up with a 3-pointer to give his side a one-point lead. This began a showdown between two offensive juggernauts in Gueye and McGlynn as they took over the game.
McGlynn followed this up with a shot to claim the lead once more. Cameron Parker made a jump shot to give Kriol a 3-point lead, but Gueye lost his defender on the pump fake, then took a step-back 3 to tie the game at 92-apiece.McGlynn was the natural player to go to in this situation, and he found a way in traffic to convert a floater on the contact and then convert a free-throw to give his team a 3-point lead. Samba Fall attempted a three but could not convert it. Kriol claimed the victory at 95-92.
Makhtar Gueye led Dakar in scoring with 20 points, but it was Ater Majok who filled the stats sheet with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. This was not enough as Patrick McGlynn led all scorers with 29 points, followed by Ivan Almeida, who scored 22 points and grabbed nine boards, and Cameron Parker, who had 19 points and nine assists. The conference remains closely contested as all teams have a split record of 2-2. It will be all to play for on the final weekend of the conference in an attempt to book a spot in Pretoria next month for the playoffs.
[Photography Courtesy of The BAL]
