Reigning Nigerian basketball champions Rivers Hoopers suffered a heartbreaking loss to ASPAC of Benin Republic, blowing an 18-point lead to fall 80-77 in overtime at the Louis Edem Basketball Championship Final on Saturday.

Hoopers entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 18-point lead, after holding a 13-point advantage at halftime. However, ASPAC mounted a strong comeback, chipping away at the deficit. Hoopers endured a scoreless stretch of over four minutes, finally scoring with two minutes remaining to hold a 64-61 lead.

In dramatic fashion, ASPAC hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the final 10 seconds of regulation to tie the game at 64-64, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, Johnson Anaiye’s back-to-back three-pointers briefly gave Hoopers a one-point lead, but ASPAC responded quickly. With 10 seconds remaining, Michael Daramola's clutch shot tied the game at 77-77.

With the final possession of the game, ASPAC sank a buzzer-beater to seal a thrilling victory.

Rivers Hoopers will return to Port Harcourt on Sunday, disappointed but determined to regroup.