Friday, April 14
•JT Lady Jaguars 63-30 Angels
•City Oilers 57-51 Nam Blazers
City Oilers survived a poor second half and held on to beat Nam Blazers 57-51 in the National Basketball League thriller at Lugogo.
The Oilers despite missing Jimmy Enabu, Fayed Bbaale and Titus Lual, were on course for a routine win when they went 41-21 up at halftime.
But the Blazers came to life with a third quarter blitz to cut the deficit to just five points.
The fourth quarter was closely contested, and Blazers moved to within two points with few seconds on the clock.
But the Blazers fumbled with two possessions, including the first that could have possibly put them level or up in the contest, down the stretch for Oilers to stretch their advantage and eventually win the pulsating affair.
But it was a commendable effort, one Coach Stephen Nyeko will be pleased with on a night they welcomed back Point Guard Chris Omanye.
Luak Ruai scored a game high 23 points and 12 rebounds while Michael Ngut added 16 points for the Oilers.
For Blazers, Peter Cheng and Michael Makiadi weighed in with 19 and 14 points respectively, the latter adding 12 rebounds for his double double.
Despite managing 10 rebounds, Geoffrey Soro failed to produce a single basket and it could have been a different story if the Blazers primary scorer managed to get things going.
That, coupled with some poor decisions at home straight, costed Blazers a big opportunity to end City Oilers unbeaten run and avenge for last season’s finals series loss.
And it’s loss number two in five games for Namuwongo who earlier lost to UCU Canons in Overtime.
For Oilers, it’s nine in as many games this season, but Friday’s tie remains their biggest test in the season for a side whose main focus is Basketball Africa League later this month.
Oilers looked untidy on offense, especially in a third quarter where they were limited to just six points.
The side also made just 8 of their 23 Free-throws with James Okello shooting 1-for-14 on the line!
And just like that, Oilers who return to action on Sunday against Ndejje University Angels, live to die another day.
In the Ladies fixture, Zainah Lokwameri led the way with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists while Sarah Ageno contributed a double double of 13 points and as many rebounds for JT Lady Jaguars to ease past Angels for their fifth win in six games.
The League will return on Sunday at Lugogo, with Saturday being occupied with Angels basketball club’s 10-year celebrations at Mengo SS.
