Angolan champions Petro de Luanda became the first team to qualify for the 2023 Basketball Africa League Playoffs after they defeated Seydou Legacy Athlétique Club (SLAC) 95-78 on Wednesday.

Petro had a lot to deal with the Guinean champions who led by five (13-8) in the opening quarter. The former ensured they kept the game close and shot to a 22-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The lead was later stretched to 15 points as they headed for the locker room (56-41).

Ater Majok came off the bench to contribute 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 block shots for Petro.

Other four players who finished on double figures were; Carlos Morais (14), Childe Dundao (12), Jone Pedro (12), and Damain Hollis shot 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Petro outscored SLAC 44-2 from the bench and on the boards 43-30 in the game.

“They really killed us on the glass,” said SLAC guard Uchenna Iroegbu who finished with 11 points and seven assists.

“They have a lot of big fellas that are tall; they can get a lot of rebounds. They dominated inside the paint. I think that’s what separated us in the game.”

Dane Miller finished with a game-high 24 points, Emeka Nwabuzor finished with 23 points, while Ismael Conde contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds for SLAC.

Petro will play their last game of the Nile Conference on Friday against host Al Ahly while SLAC face Al Ahly on Saturday.

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