Angola’s Petro de Luanda beat Morocco’s AS Salé 102-89

Petro’s captain Carlos Morais converted the first basket of the 2022 BAL Playoffs with a three-point field goal which sparked a 13-4 run to open the game

The 2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs tipped off today at the Kigali Arena with an opening ceremony featuring the team captains from all eight playoff teams: Angola’s Petro de Luanda, Morocco’s AS Salé, Rwanda’s REG, Cameroon’s F.A.P, Tunisia’s US Monastir, South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers and Guinea’s S.L.A.C.

The first quarterfinal game featured Petro de Lunda, which advanced from the Nile Conference after going 4-1 in the group phase, against AS Salé which advanced from the Sahara Conference group phase after going 3-2.

Petro’s captain Carlos Morais converted the first basket of the 2022 BAL Playoffs with a three-point field goal which sparked a 13-4 run to open the game.  AS Salé ended the first quarter on a 12-7 run to pull within four to end the first quarter down 16-20.

AS Salé opened the second quarter on a 7-3 run to tie the game at 23-23 but Petro’s balanced scoring attack, which saw six players score at least five points in the first half, propelled them to an 11-0 scoring run mid-way through the second quarter.  The offensive surge was capped off by a barrage of three-point shots which ballooned Petro’s lead to 15 points with just under four minutes left in the half.

Ousmande Drame kept AS Salé in striking distance by making 5/6 field goals for a game-high 15 first-half points to go along with eight rebounds. Morais ended the half with a three-point field goal, marking Petro’s 10th three pointer of the half on just 19 attempts, heading into the break up 50-35.

Angola’s Petro de Luanda beat Morocco’s AS Salé 102-89

bal playoffs 1 Angola’s Petro de Luanda beat Morocco’s AS Salé 102-89
CAIRO, EGYPT – MAY 21: Carlos Edilson Alcantara Morais #6 of the Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda drives to the basket during the game against AS Salé on May 21, 2022 at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Pape Emir/NBAE via Getty Images)

Petro started the second half right where they left off by scoring five straight points ignited by another three pointer from Morais.  AS Sale responded with a six-point run after Amadou Abdoulaye Harouna sunk a three and teammate Carlos Masa made three consecutive free throws. AS Sale’s momentum was cut by Petro point guard Childe Dundão who converted a three-point play after getting fouled on a made floater.

The excellent three-point shooting continued for Petro in the second half as Aboubacar Gakou, Dundão and Lukeny Gonçalves each made a three pointer on three consecutive possessions extending their lead to 70-50 with 2:58 left in the third quarter.  Petro made six three pointers in the third quarter led by Dundão, who had 10 points in the third quarter alone, ultimately extending Petro’s lead to 80-52 with one quarter to go.

Harouna hit back-to-back threes to start the fourth quarter cutting the deficit but Morais poured in a quick seven points to extend Petro’s lead back to 20.  AS Salé made one last run following a scoring burst from BAL leading scorer Terrel Stoglin, cutting the deficit to nine with just over three minutes left. Petro maintained a double-digit lead to end the game winning 102-89.

Morais finished with a game-high 27 points. Dundão chipped in 19 points and five assists and Gonçalves recorded a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double for Petro. AS Salé was paced by Harouna (20 points), Stoglin (19 points) and Drame (19 points and 13 rebounds). Petro advances to the 2022 BAL Playoffs Semifinals on May 25.

Full stats can be found here – https://bit.ly/3wCS3Hq.

Read: Basketball Africa League to Host Series of Youth Development, Community Service and Business Events during 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More like this

LATEST NEWS

Kevin De Bruyne will Leave Manchester City: Is He The Premier League’s Best Creative Midfielder Ever?

Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will part ways with Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing nearly a decade-long spell to...

Bayern Munich’s Blow Before UCL: Jamal Musiala Suffers Injury Ahead of Inter Milan Clash

Bayern Munich's impressive 3-1 triumph over a ten-man Augsburg may have extended their lead atop the Bundesliga table, but the victory came at a...

Realme C75 & C73 India Launch: Price, Specs, Colors & Availability Leaked

Realme C75 & C73 India Launch: Realme is gearing up to expand its budget-friendly C-series lineup in India with the launch of the Realme...

Honor 400 Lite Debuts with 108MP Camera, Dimensity 7025

The Honor 400 Lite has been officially listed on the Honor Global website, marking the debut of the brand’s new 400-series as a successor...

Featured