Randall’s 43-point fury sends Tigers through despite FUS Rabat shock win

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BK Arena witnessed a high-voltage conclusion to a two-leg BAL 2026 quarter-final as FUS Rabat edged RSSB Tigers 99-98 on the night, but still exited the competition despite a spirited final push that kept their supporters on edge until the closing seconds.

The decisive context was set days earlier in Kigali, where the Tigers had built their cushion with a dominant 95-72 victory in the first leg. That 23-point margin ultimately proved the difference, allowing the Rwandan side to withstand Rabat’s second-leg surge and advance on aggregate.

FUS Rabat entered the return fixture with urgency and clarity of execution, immediately imposing tempo and stretching the floor. Their first-half dominance was emphatic, racing to a 21-point advantage and briefly threatening to overturn the tie entirely through aggressive perimeter shooting and transition efficiency.

RSSB Tigers, however, absorbed the early pressure and gradually recalibrated their defensive structure. The shift came through increased intensity on-ball and faster offensive transitions, reducing the deficit possession by possession and reintroducing doubt into Rabat’s control of the game.

Momentum swung further in the third quarter as the Tigers found rhythm in spacing and shot selection, eventually moving into a six-point lead in the fourth quarter. BK Arena responded in kind, fully behind a comeback that, if completed, would have flipped the narrative of the tie.

At the center of the contest stood Leonard Craig Randall II, who delivered another explosive offensive performance with 43 points and 7 assists. His perimeter aggression and shot-making under pressure repeatedly forced Rabat into defensive adjustments, even as they sought to contain him with physical coverage.

Randall’s impact extended beyond the single game. He continues to dominate BAL scoring charts, holding the top two single-game scoring performances of the season, including a 54-point explosion against Dar City and this 43-point outing, reinforcing his status as the league’s most prolific offensive weapon this campaign.

RSSB head coach Henry Dennis Mwikuna highlighted both opponent quality and tactical intent.

“We came out with confidence, and FUS is a very good team. Will Perry played very well by the way.” He added: “We applied full defense in the first quarter, and we tried to move Perry to the right and see if we could cut the three-pointers.”

FUS Rabat’s response was driven by the leadership of Will Perry, who finished with 29 points and 11 assists, orchestrating offensive flow and keeping Rabat within striking distance whenever the game tilted toward the Tigers.

Inside support also proved vital, with Kuany Kuany and Mouhamoudou Diagne combining for consistent interior production, both scoring 17 points while contributing heavily on the glass, sustaining Rabat’s physical presence throughout the contest.

RSSB Tigers counterbalanced through collective contributions, notably Antino Jackson Jr.’s 11 assists and Mangok Mathiang’s 15 points and 9 rebounds, ensuring that Randall’s scoring bursts were supported by structure and secondary creation.

In a tense final stretch, FUS Rabat executed late-game possessions with precision, reclaiming the lead and sealing a 99-98 victory on the night. The result offered pride and validation for their performance, closing their BAL campaign with four wins in seven games.

Randall reflected on the intensity of the tie.

“We just came out comfortable. And in the remaining three quarters, we showed what kind of team we are.”

He added a forward-looking note.

“Losing hurts. But now we know how much better we have to be to lift that trophy at the end. And we’ll be better, I promise.”

Despite the second-leg defeat, the Tigers’ aggregate superiority—anchored by their 95-72 win in Kigali—proved decisive, sending RSSB into the semifinals of the Basketball Africa League after one of the most finely balanced quarter-final ties of the 2026 season.

Photography/Imagery : Courtesy of Julien Bacot/The BAL website