06 December 2010
UGANDA : Power, UCU in control
Yesterday’s results
Power 116-108 Warriors (2OT)
Women
UCU 65-50 A1
(Power and UCU lead series 3-0)
Ben Komakech made a desperate but rather composed three-pointer at the death as DMark Power came from behind to defeat Kyambogo Warriors 116-108 in double overtime to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League final series at YMCA court last night.
That attempt was just one of his pivotal game-winning 26 points for Power to wipe a nine-point deficit lead at the start of the fourth quarter to force a late finish with both teams tied at 88-88.
At the end of the first overtime, Warriors star Eric Malinga (20-10) stretched the game further when he made two free throws with two seconds on the clock. It was not yet over for the huge divided crowd as nothing could separate the two sides at 99-99. “The bench won us the game,” Komakech said in deflecting attention from himself to heap praise on his understudy Emmanuel Enabu (13). Warriors, who looked to have benefited from last week’s closure of the Lugogo Arena that led to the postponement of games, didn’t need this.
The champions’ hopes of putting Power on the back foot evaporated when Tanzanian guard Abdullahi Ramadhan (12) fouled out to join Ronnie Kasewu (8) and Jude Ochen (16) on the bench in the last overtime period.
Sooner, Martin Okwako (10), Henry Malinga (15) and Michael Kariuki (3) were expelled, leaving Warriors thin to the bone as they lacked someone to manage the ball save for Pascal Alule, who spends more time on the bench than on the court.
Power had started marginally the better team in the dour game, until the fourth quarter, taking the first period 21-16 before coach Gad Eteu’s side regrouped to cruise through the second 31-17. Komakech, the 2008 MVP instigated a recovery by dishing 15 assists before he exited the game with five fouls.
Similar offences
Regardless of him already finding Norman Blick (13) and Richard Balemwa (5) in the dugout for similar offences, Power had too much arsenal. Joseph Ikong was quick on the transition with a game-high 29 points whereas Isaac Afidra resurrected belatedly to make 12 and pick 11 rebounds to clinch the final two quarters of regulation time 22-20 and 26-19.
Game four is set for Wednesday as Warriors are on the brink on suffering a humiliating clean sweep to a team they beat 4-1 in last year’s final. In the women’s game, UCU Lady Canons strengthened their stranglehold on the title with a commanding 66-50 victory over free-falling A1 Challenge for a 3-0 lead.
Vicky Nassolo left the floor inconsolable. Her game-high 23 couldn’t rescue her side from UCU’s fangs. The former trailed 5-16, 8-13 and 17-19 in the first three quarters respectively. Anastasia Njeri led with a team-high 16 points, three rebounds and four assists for UCU. Brenda Mboine and Lorriane Akinyi added 15 and 12 points.
Power 116-108 Warriors (2OT)
Women
UCU 65-50 A1
(Power and UCU lead series 3-0)
Ben Komakech made a desperate but rather composed three-pointer at the death as DMark Power came from behind to defeat Kyambogo Warriors 116-108 in double overtime to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven MTN-Fuba League final series at YMCA court last night.
That attempt was just one of his pivotal game-winning 26 points for Power to wipe a nine-point deficit lead at the start of the fourth quarter to force a late finish with both teams tied at 88-88.
At the end of the first overtime, Warriors star Eric Malinga (20-10) stretched the game further when he made two free throws with two seconds on the clock. It was not yet over for the huge divided crowd as nothing could separate the two sides at 99-99. “The bench won us the game,” Komakech said in deflecting attention from himself to heap praise on his understudy Emmanuel Enabu (13). Warriors, who looked to have benefited from last week’s closure of the Lugogo Arena that led to the postponement of games, didn’t need this.
The champions’ hopes of putting Power on the back foot evaporated when Tanzanian guard Abdullahi Ramadhan (12) fouled out to join Ronnie Kasewu (8) and Jude Ochen (16) on the bench in the last overtime period.
Sooner, Martin Okwako (10), Henry Malinga (15) and Michael Kariuki (3) were expelled, leaving Warriors thin to the bone as they lacked someone to manage the ball save for Pascal Alule, who spends more time on the bench than on the court.
Power had started marginally the better team in the dour game, until the fourth quarter, taking the first period 21-16 before coach Gad Eteu’s side regrouped to cruise through the second 31-17. Komakech, the 2008 MVP instigated a recovery by dishing 15 assists before he exited the game with five fouls.
Similar offences
Regardless of him already finding Norman Blick (13) and Richard Balemwa (5) in the dugout for similar offences, Power had too much arsenal. Joseph Ikong was quick on the transition with a game-high 29 points whereas Isaac Afidra resurrected belatedly to make 12 and pick 11 rebounds to clinch the final two quarters of regulation time 22-20 and 26-19.
Game four is set for Wednesday as Warriors are on the brink on suffering a humiliating clean sweep to a team they beat 4-1 in last year’s final. In the women’s game, UCU Lady Canons strengthened their stranglehold on the title with a commanding 66-50 victory over free-falling A1 Challenge for a 3-0 lead.
Vicky Nassolo left the floor inconsolable. Her game-high 23 couldn’t rescue her side from UCU’s fangs. The former trailed 5-16, 8-13 and 17-19 in the first three quarters respectively. Anastasia Njeri led with a team-high 16 points, three rebounds and four assists for UCU. Brenda Mboine and Lorriane Akinyi added 15 and 12 points.
# posted by afrbk : 11:38
