Antino Jackson Jr. made the most of the final seven seconds in overtime, sinking two decisive free throws to power RSSB Tigers to a thrilling 117-115 victory over China’s Shanghai Sharks at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Beijing on Wednesday. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) champions overcame a 20-point deficit in the early stages of the game before producing a strong fourth-quarter performance to force overtime, with the two sides tied at 103-103 at the end of regulation. Tigers appeared to have secured the win after taking a 115-111 lead with 37 seconds remaining in overtime. However, Shanghai fought back to level the score and nearly forced a second overtime, with Tigers also without Tyler Bey, who had fouled out. Jackson then restored Tigers’ two-point lead with four seconds remaining by converting both free throws. Shanghai had one final chance to force a second overtime, but its attempt from beyond the arc missed as the Rwandan club secured its first-ever victory at the Intercontinental Cup. After struggling from three-point range in Tuesday’s loss to Lithuania’s Rytas Vilnius, Craig Randall II rediscovered his shooting touch against Shanghai, finishing as Tigers’ top scorer with 30 points. Bey added 19 points, Osborn Shema scored 16, Ntore Habimana had 15, while Teafale Lenard and Jackson each contributed 12. Shanghai’s Brandon Goodwin led all scorers with 37 points. The victory keeps the BAL champions’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.
