Rivers Hoopers made it three consecutive wins after an 89-58 demolition of their south-south rivals, Delta Force at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba yesterday.
Bolaji Emilagba (17), Michael Oriakhi (17) and Mustapha Oyebanji (16) all finished in double figures for the KingsMen.
Delta Force started with a 6-0 run at the start of the game before Hoopers dropped four 3s including back to back 3s by Oriakhi to lead by 13 at the end of the first quarter.
The Asaba based team got back in the second, outscored the Hoopers 24-20 to cut the deficit to 9 at the break.
Hoopers made a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 22 with 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Play was halted for 10 minutes as a result of an altercation which ensued between two opposing players as well as a disagreement between some officials of Delta Force. On resumption, Rivers Hoopers ensured they maintained their momentum at both ends of the floor.
The KingsMen were ruthless from the deep, scoring 13 three-pointers in the game, more than the last two games. They also shot 9/16 from the free throw line.
Rivers Hoopers Vice-Captain Buchi Nwaiwu was not surprised at the outcome of the game.
“I was not surprised at all. Delta State and Rivers State are rivals in sports. The rivalry has always been there I expected it, so I came prepared for it.”
The game which was filled with so much emotion had one of Delta Force players (Faruk) charged for violent conduct on Nwaiwu.
Nwaiwu continued: ”I didn’t react to what happened, I just had to swallow it because I knew it was bound to happen. The goal was to win so I had to keep my head in the game so we could achieve our goal for today.”
”We see it as a warm up game ahead of the tougher challenge ahead of us . We are just getting started and beginning to blend better and we will move on from there, Nwaiwu added.
Meanwhile , Hoopers forward Olatoye Duro-Ladipo, said winning was culture for the team.
”The feeling is the same, it’s not new. We have been here before, winning is our culture so we are used to it and I am happy we are winning.
“ I expected the outcome and we also expected all that happened during the game.”
Rivers Hoopers will play their last game of this conference against Raptors today.
