US Monastir, AS Sale remain unbeaten as Gombe Bulls shock Libolo on Day 4

RADES (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) – AS Sale on Friday night put up a big fight to go past InterClube of Angola 81-78 in the battle for the soul of Group A in Rades.

As result of this win the Moroccan side advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the ongoing 12-team tournament thanks to their 4-0 mark.

Both sides had tied at 63 points apiece at the end of the third quarter with Abderrahim Najah proving crucial.

The 6ft7in (2.00m) power forward came up with a double double of 17points and 10 rebounds.

Soufiane Kourdou led the way with 20 points while the duo of Abdelhakim Zouita and Arnold Wayne added 15 and 12 points in that order.

Meanwhile, hosts Etoile Sportive Rades got back to winning ways as they posted a comprehensive 97-75 over Kano Pillars of Nigeria to keep their title ambitions alive.

Kano Pillars Abdoul Yahaya led the procedings with game-high 24 points but his efforts were not enough to prevent the Pillars from a third loss.

On the other side, Mourad El Mabrouk, sparked hosts ES Rades with team-high of 15 points while the quartet of Averon Kelvin Mathew, Dustin Salisbery, Amine Rzig and Mohamed Hadidane combined for 46points.

Early in the day, Uganda side City Oilers sealed their first victory thanks to a 81-60 win over New Generation.

Robinson Opong poured in game-high 23 points while Jordin Mayes and Stanley Ocitti added 16 points and 11 points respectively.

The Oilers’ hope of making the Quarter-Final now rest on the massive showdown against Kano Pillars  in both sides last group game on Saturday.

In the Group B's much-anticiped encounter, Union Sportive Monastir of Tunisia have to dig-deep to overcome the challenge poised by Ferroviario da Beira of Mozambique.

The local side extend their winning streak to 4-0 thanks to a 73-69 win, and as result secure their place in the Quarter-Finals.

The Mozambiccan almost created another upset when they cut down their 26 points deficit to 10 points at the end of the third quarter.

Resillience on the Tunisian side saved the situation in the fourth quarter as Ferroviario continued from where they left off in the third quarter, though Ferroviario won the quarter by 23-17) but it was not enough to save them from defeat.

US Monastir guard Kyle Vinales led his team with 23 points while Evariste Shonganya and Nazir Knioua contributed 14 and 12 points each. Ferroviario trio of Maksym Ivshyn, Angelo Warner and Helton Ubisse had 20, 15 and 13 points respectively.

In the meantime, Gombe Bulls of Nigeria surprised everyone at the Salle Omnisport de Rades when they posted a 75-67 victory over former FIBA ACC Champions Sport Libolo e Benfica of Angola.

Gombe Bulls quartet of Yakubu Istaifanus, Ibe Agu, Akeem Suleiman and Okiki Afuwape accounted for 54 points for their side in this much-needed win.

In the third game of Group B, Groupement Sportif des Petroliers of Algeria confirm their place in the last eight thanks to a 101-92 victory over ASB Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tournament leading scorer Mohamed Harat came up with tournament-high 34 points, and 11 rebound, while the duo of Mounir Benzegala and Abdelrrahmane Mostefat recorded 14 and 11 points in that order.

FIBA