Kwara Falcons qualification hopes dim after losing to Stade Malien in 2nd group game.
Reigning Nigerian Premier Basketball League champions Kwara Falcons have lost their second continental game.
The Ilorin-based side suffered a 74-78 loss to Stade Malien 8in their second group game of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) played on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Kwara Falcons suffered a 64-48 loss to the Rwanda Energy Group in their opening group game played at the weekend.
Kwara Falcons lose to Stade Malien
The Nigerian side competed hard as Stade Malien established a three-point lead after the first quarter.
Kwara Falcons lose to Stade Malien Bamako in friendly
Kwara Falcons kept in touch with the Malian side as the lead increased to five points at the halftime break.
It was in the third quarter it all went wrong for the Kwara Falcons as Stade Malien put up 28 points to increase their lead to 15.
Kwara Falcons fought back in the fourth quarter to put up 23 points but Stade Malien held on for a four-point victory.
Key performers
Veteran center Aliou Diarra was the star performer for Stade Malein in the victory against Kwara Falcons.
He recorded 23 points to lead both sides in scoring while adding 14 rebounds and two assists.
American power forward Anthony Wilson led the Kwara Falcons with 19 points and five rebounds but was not enough to get the win.
Kwara Falcons now have two losses and face an uphill battle to progress from the Sahara Conference in Dakar Senegal.
Kwara Falcons Head Coach Jibril Baba Kadri now has to regroup his side to be competitive in their next four games.
The Nigerian side returns to action against 2022 BAL Champions US Monastir scheduled for Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
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