Lagos Legends pulled off a thrilling 74-72 victory over Rivers Hoopers in Port Harcourt on Sunday, ending the champions’ bid for a third straight Nigeria Basketball Premier League title and securing Nigeria’s slot at the 2025 Basketball Africa League.

Both teams arrived at the Final 4 decider with two wins apiece. Lagos Legends, who had already snapped Hoopers’ long unbeaten streak with an 80-79 win during the final eight, wasted no time showing they were ready for another upset. They started brightly, forcing Hoopers to chase the game early on.

Even though Hoopers managed to squeeze out a 20-19 lead in the first quarter, the contest stayed tight. Lagos Legends kept pressing and pulled the game level at 32-32 by halftime, reminding the home crowd that they were not there to play second fiddle.

Hoopers held a slim 52-49 advantage heading into the final quarter, but the visitors had saved their sharpest push for the closing minutes. The Legends battled back to 61-61, then snatched a brief one-point lead before Hoopers dragged it level again at 70-70 with 39 seconds left.

Those final seconds felt like a season wrapped into a heartbeat. Hoopers added two more points. Lagos Legends answered with four, stealing the win at the wire and shutting the door on the 2024 BAL bronze medallists’ title ambitions.

Sunday’s triumph means Lagos Legends have now beaten Hoopers twice in three meetings this season. Hoopers’ only win came in their 89-70 Inter-Group Phase encounter.

With this victory, Lagos Legends take over Nigeria’s BAL ticket from Rivers Hoopers, who represented the country in the last two editions.