HISTORIC: RSSB Tigers Come From 20 Down to Stun Shanghai Sharks 117-115 in Overtime Thriller
RSSB Tigers claim first-ever FIBA Intercontinental Cup win in Beijing
BEIJING – The RSSB Tigers of Rwanda showed incredible heart to come from 20 points down and beat China’s Shanghai Sharks 117-115 in overtime on Wednesday to claim their first victory at the 2026 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
The BAL champions appeared dead and buried at halftime, trailing 60-46 after Shanghai won the first quarter 30-17 and the second 30-29. The teams tied the third quarter 25-25 before the Tigers exploded in the fourth.
Down 101-93 with just 2:36 remaining in regulation, the Tigers mounted a furious 10-2 run, capped by Craig Randall II’s three-pointer to put Rwanda ahead for the first time on the night at 93-91 and force overtime at 103-103.
Regulation ended 103-103, forcing the extra five minutes.
Overtime was just as dramatic. The Tigers appeared to have secured the win after taking a 115-111 lead with 37 seconds remaining, but Shanghai fought back to level the score at 115-115 through two free throws from Brandon Goodwin and a layup by Liu Zheng with eight seconds left.
Then came the hero moment. Antino Jackson Jr. was fouled on a three-point attempt with five seconds remaining and restored the Tigers’ lead by converting two of three free throws, making it 117-115 before Goodwin missed a desperation shot from midcourt.
Tigers were without Tyler Bey who had fouled out in the final moments.
After struggling from three-point range in Tuesday’s loss to Lithuania’s Rytas Vilnius, Craig Randall II rediscovered his shooting touch to lead six Tigers players in double figures with 30 points.
Boxscore:
RSSB Tigers: Craig Randall II 30 pts, Tyler Bey 19, Osborn Shema 16, Ntore Habimana 15, Teafale Lenard 12, Antino Jackson Jr. 12. Shanghai’s Brandon Goodwin led all scorers with 37 points.
The victory keeps the BAL champions’ hopes alive after opening their campaign with a 107-89 defeat to Lithuania’s Rytas Vilnius on Monday. The Tigers finished Group A with a 1-1 record, and will know their final standing after Thursday’s game between Rytas Vilnius and Shanghai Sharks.
Speaking after the game, head coach Henry Mwinuka praised his team’s defense:
“I’m very happy to win this match. It was very tough; at the halfway point, we were down by more than 20 points. I told them we were going to change the way we were playing. Our intention was to play defence.”
Six teams are competing in two groups, with the top team from each advancing to the final. The second-placed teams will contest the third-place playoff.
