In a debut performance that rocked the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Cape Verde’s Kriol Star delivered an unforgettable 95-92 overtime win against home favorites ASC Ville de Dakar in front of a roaring crowd at Dakar Arena.

Patrick McGlynn led the charge with 29 points while veteran Ivan Almeida added 22 points and nine rebounds, combining for 51 of Kriol Star’s total output. The Cape Verdean squad made up for their size disadvantage with surgical efficiency and clutch composure.

Despite being mauled on the boards (58-34) and dominated in second-chance points (26-10), Kriol Star kept their turnover count to just five, a stark contrast to Dakar’s 16 giveaways, ultimately tilting the balance in their favor.

Makhtar Gueye paced Dakar with 20 points and six rebounds while Ater Majok posted 16 points, nine boards, and two rejections. Yet even their hustle wasn’t enough to hold off a team playing like seasoned contenders.

Petro de Luanda Dethrones Former Champs Again

Earlier in the day, reigning champions Petro de Luanda reminded fans why they wear the crown, outclassing 2022 champions US Monastir 78-68. Rigberto Mendoza registered a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds as Petro displayed depth and balance with four players scoring in double figures.

Though Patrick Hardy Jr. helped Monastir shoot 41.2% from long range, the Tunisians crumbled under pressure, committing a staggering 21 turnovers—effectively sealing their fate.

Sahara Conference on a Knife’s Edge

With all four teams now sitting at 2-2, the Sahara Conference heads into a thrilling final weekend. Upcoming matchups include US Monastir vs Kriol Star and ASC Ville de Dakar vs Petro de Luanda—games that will ultimately decide who advances to the playoffs.

The Basketball Africa League 2025 continues to captivate fans across 214 countries in 17 languages, broadcast on Canal+, ESPN, FIBA’s Courtside 1891, and streamed via the NBA App and BAL’s official platforms.