Senegalese champions recorded a shocking 92-86 victory over 2022 Basket Africa League Finalist Petro de Luanda to reach their first ever final in Kigali.

Petro struggled at both ends of the floor and could only manage eight of their 20 three pointers in the first half and 15 of 35 from the field.

Everything AS Douanes did on the day at both ends of the floor worked for them. They shot 29/35 from the line, seven 3s and outrebounded Petro 39-36.

Jean Jacques Boissy and Chris Crawford combined for 54 points for AS Douanes.

Petro came from a 14-point deficit to cut it down to two with 2:09 minutes left to play but AS Douanes were resilient to reach their first ever final.

AS Douanes coach Mamadou Gueye said they did great defensively to stop the Angolans.

“Defensively we were great. Now, we are just playing our game and try to go as far as possible in this Championship.We have proved doubters wrong.”

It was AS Douanes fifth consecutive win in the 2023 BAL season as they become the first Senegalese club to reach the BAL Final.

Petro’s coach Jose Neto took the blame for their defeat to AS Douanes.

“I take full responsibility for the loss. We worked really hard to try to win this Championship. The club did everything for us to fight for the title, but things didn’t work out for us. I give credit to AS Douanes.

Petro made 13 of their 35 three-pointers and shot 7/22 from the free throw line on a day veteran captain Carlos Morais could only manage to score six points in 26 minutes.

Lukeny Goncalves scored a team high 17 points while Jone Pedro added 12.

“It’s a sad day for us. I tried everything to help them win,” said Neto.

Petro will play the third place game on Friday against the loser in the Al Ahly and Stade Malien game.

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