KIGALI, Rwanda — In a spectacular display of basketball prowess, Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli delivered a historic performance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), defeating Kenya's Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) with a staggering score of 115-87. This victory not only marked their second consecutive win but also set a new league record for the highest team points in a single game.

Historic Performance

The previous record was held by Tunisia's US Monastir, who scored 113 points against Madagascar's GNBC during the league's inaugural season in 2021. Al Ahli Tripoli's achievement is a testament to their offensive firepower and cohesive team play.

Game Highlights

• First Quarter: Al Ahli Tripoli started strong, with captain Mohamed Sadi leading the charge. They established an early lead of 19-7, but NCT managed to narrow the gap to 24-18 by the end of the quarter.
• Second Quarter: NCT showed resilience, reducing the deficit to 39-37. However, Jean-Jacques Boissy ignited a 14-1 run, propelling Al Ahli Tripoli to a 53-38 halftime lead.
• Third Quarter: Al Ahli Tripoli dominated the third quarter, scoring 18 of the first 21 points and extending their lead to 71-41. By the end of the quarter, they led 81-53, with Jaylen Adams and Boissy leading the charge.
• Fourth Quarter: Despite a high-scoring effort from NCT's Uchenna Iroegbu, who scored 18 points, Al Ahli Tripoli continued to dominate, finishing the game with a 115-87 victory.

Key Players

• Jean-Jacques Boissy: The standout performer with 30 points, Boissy's leadership and scoring ability were crucial in securing the win.
• Jaylen Adams: The former NBA player contributed 26 points, showcasing his experience and skill.
• Deon Thompson and Mohamed Sadi: Added 21 and 20 points respectively, highlighting the team's depth.

Coach's Insight

Head coach Fouad Abou Chacra praised Boissy's role as a sixth man, stating, "He is a young player with very strong character. He's a winner - he doesn't like excuses. He doesn't want to be victimised. Every time he steps in, he's a hard worker." Chacra also emphasized the team's unity, saying, "The human part is beautiful in my team in that they all love each other; they tap in directly and they correct each other."

Looking Ahead

Al Ahli Tripoli will face APR on Tuesday, while NCT aims to bounce back against South Africa's MBB. The BAL continues to showcase the best of African basketball, with thrilling matches and record-breaking performances.