Namuwongo Blazers will seek to maintain their unbeaten run when they face Burundi’s Urunani in the final East Division Group D game of the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers on Sunday at Hoima City Arena.
The Blazers booked their place in the Elite 16 for a second consecutive season after beating South Sudan’s Patriot Basketball Club 85-81 in overtime on Saturday. The Ugandan side had earlier defeated Comoros’ Ushindzi de Ouani and Madagascar’s COSPN.
Photo: FIBA Media
Namuwongo lead the standings with six points from three wins, level with Urunani, who have also won all their three games. COSPN are third with five points, while Patriot have four. Ushindzi are bottom with three points after losing all their three matches.
Saturday’s victory was hard-earned, with the Blazers recovering from a slow start after trailing 23-16 at the end of the first quarter. They rallied to take a 42-37 halftime lead before Patriot fought back to force overtime at 72-72.
Photo: FIBA Media
The Blazers held their nerve in the extra period to secure the four-point victory despite losing point guard Jordan Jonathan to a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
Jonathan led Namuwongo with 20 points, while Makhtar Gueye added 17, Richard Pack scored 13 and Peter Obleng contributed 10. Peter Olisemeka also recorded a double-double of 10 points and 17 rebounds.
Photo: FIBA Media
Patriot’s Ater Majok led all scorers with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Michael Dixon added 21 points. Nyang Wek scored 13 and Gob Makuac Gob contributed 12.
The final group fixtures on Sunday will see Patriot take on Ushindzi, while Namuwongo face Urunani as the teams conclude their campaign in Group D.
Photo: FIBA Media
Source: ChampionSport Reporter
