In Summary:
- APR Rwanda beat Nairobi City Thunder 92-63 in the Thunder’s first BAL game.
- APR’s Aliou Diarra was the top player with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
- Nairobi City Thunder will play Al Ahli SC next after this tough loss.
Nairobi City Thunder’s BAL debut against APR Rwanda started with an early lead, but APR quickly took control, ending the first quarter closely ahead. APR’s strong defense and offense in the second quarter allowed them to build a comfortable halftime lead. While the third quarter was more even, APR maintained their advantage. In the final quarter, APR dominated, outscoring the Thunder significantly to secure a decisive victory, marking a challenging start for the Kenyan team in the BAL.
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Strong Start, Swift Takeover by APR
Nairobi City Thunder experienced a tough start to their Basketball Africa League (BAL) journey. In a game played Saturday night at the BK Arena, APR Rwanda defeated them by a significant margin of 92-63.
Aliou Diarra, a key player for APR, had an outstanding performance. He scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and provided four assists. Jemar Randle also contributed significantly with 20 points for the Rwandan team. Antony Miller Jr. added 11 points, further solidifying APR’s victory.
On the Nairobi City Thunder side, team captain Tylor Ongwae managed to score 14 points and had three assists. William Davis II also scored 11 points. However, no other player from the Kenyan team reached double figures in scoring. The Thunder struggled to contain APR’s offense and had difficulty making shots from beyond the three-point line.
The game began with promise for Nairobi City Thunder. Ongwae made an early three-pointer, giving his team a 3-0 lead. But APR quickly responded and took control of the game. Midway through the first quarter, APR was ahead 12-10. Early points came from Diarra, Randle, Axel Olenga, and Ntore Habimana. Despite this, the Thunder managed to end the first quarter with a narrow lead of 23-22, with Ongwae contributing eight points and one assist.
APR’s Dominant Defense and Scoring
In the second quarter, APR took the lead decisively. Diarra played strong defense, blocking shots and protecting the basket. APR outscored the Thunder 17-8 in this period. By halftime, APR had established a 39-31 lead.
The third quarter saw a more even contest. Both teams scored 20 points. However, APR maintained their lead, going into the final quarter ahead 59-51.
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Decisive Fourth Quarter Seals APR Victory
In the fourth quarter, APR dominated. They outscored Nairobi City Thunder 33-11, leading to the final score of 92-63. Coach James Maye Jr. successfully guided APR to this important win.
Looking ahead, Nairobi City Thunder will face Al Ahli SC from Libya. Their next game is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 PM at the BK Arena. Al Ahli SC is considered a strong team, having won their earlier game on Saturday against MBB from South Africa with a score of 87-77. APR will also play later that night against MBB.
This game marked Nairobi City Thunder’s debut in the BAL. They qualified for the league after winning the Kenyan national league. This loss to APR highlights the high level of competition in the BAL. The Kenyan team will need to make quick improvements before their next match.
The Basketball Africa League is a significant event in African basketball. It features top teams from across the continent. Nairobi City Thunder aims to prove their ability to compete with these elite clubs.
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