TRIPOLI (Libya) - Incredible comebacks marked Game-Day 2's in the West Division Groups A and B of the Road to BAL 2025.
Here's how things unfolded in the Libyan capital city.
Stade Malien v Kriol Star went down to the wire
Stade Malien had only a goal in mind in the run-up to Friday’s clash against debutant Kriol Star: A victory.
The 2023 BAL semifinalists trailed for most of the game, but saved their best for the final and decisive quarter to a halt a 15-point deficit.
Levelled at 60-60 at the end of the third quarter, State Malien used an inspiring 5-0 run to start the last ten minutes before closing the game out with an 81-76 triumph.
It was Stade Malien’s first win in Group A.
N'faly Kanoute and Mahamane Coulibaly finished with team-highs 16 points apiece, and Abdramabe addded 13 to boost Stade Malien's chances of moving on to the Elite 16 Round.
Ali Lahrichi and Dieudonne Ndizeye led Kriol Star with 14 points each.
The Cape Verdean outfit face hosts Al Ahly Tripoli (1-0) in Saturday’s Group A’s last game.
Elan Coton bounce back
Mighty Barrolle were left wondering how a 15-point first-half lead wasn’t good enough to help them win their first game in Tripoli. But turning the ball over 27 points has seriously contributed to their loss.
Both Elan Coton v Mighty Barrolle stepped on the floor with their backs against the wall - after losing their games on the tournament's opening day. This was a must-win for either side.
The Beninese champions used a strong third quarter, outscoring Barrolle 29-11 to close the game out with a 74-69 triumph.
Bryson Langdon led Elan Coton’s comeback, finishing with a game-highs of 23 points and 6 assists.
Omar Kamba came up with another stellar display, leading Mighty Barrolle with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but his effort wasn’t enough to rescue the Liberian side.
With the win Elan Coton improved to 1-1 while Barrolle, who scored 69 points for the second game in a row, dropped to 0-2.
Fighters stay perfect
In Friday’s second Group B game, Karim Mane was a rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds to pace ABC Fighters to a 99-81 victory over Ghanaian side Spintex Knights.
James Amotoe finished with 22 points and 10 assists, Ekpo Bassey added 10 points and 11 rebounds, Desmond Cobblah contributed 18 points, but the game belonged to the Ivorian champions.
The Fighters stepped on the floor in a dominant mode, leading from jump-ball to the final buzzer.
At some point in the game, the former African champions led by as many as 25 points.
The triumph - their second in as many games - sees ABC move a step closer to the Elite 16 while Spintex Knights dropped to 1-1.
Group B action returns on Saturday with Mighty Barrolle chasing their first win in the tournament when they take on Spintex Knights. ABC Fighters will close their Group Phase campaign facing Elan Coton.
FIBA