Noel’s clutch three-pointer sends APR to BAL playoffs

Final Score: APR 77–74 NCT Despite trailing for most of the game, APR clinched a thrilling 77–74 victory over Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) in the ultimate game of BAL 2025’s Nile Conference at BK Arena on Sunday night, to earn a place at the playoffs. The important victory was made possible by a clutch three-pointer scored by American point guard Obadiah Noel with just three seconds left to the end of the game. ALSO READ: Race for BAL playoffs goes to the wire after APR lose to Al Ahli SC With the win, APR finished the conference in second place and earned a direct ticket to the 2025 BAL playoffs which will take place in Pretoria, South Africa, in June. Meanwhile, Al Ahli Tripoli closed out their regular season with a dominant 102–73 win over MBB, finishing with a perfect 6–0 record and becoming the No.1 seed overall. The Libyan champions became just the second team to qualify for the playoffs with an undefeated record. Last month in Rabat, Morocco, Egypt’s Al Ittihad Alexandria became the first team this season to win all six of their 2025 Kalahari Conference games. FUS Rabat earned the eighth and final playoff spot with the best third-placed team from the Kalahari and Nile Conferences. The playoffs will take place in Pretoria from June 6–14. Qualified teams for 2025 BAL Playoffs: Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) Al Ittihad (Egypt) Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) US Monastir (Tunisia) Petro de Luanda (Angola) APR (Rwanda) Kriol Star (Cape Verde) FUS Rabat (Morocco)

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Noel’s clutch three-pointer sends APR to BAL playoffs