Basketball in Africa

DEFENDING Zambia Basketball Association league champions UNZA Pacers at the weekend lost to Matero Magic in their first game of the best of three semi-finals in the 2010/2011 championships.

Pacers, who were very confident of carrying the day, were humbled 80-72 in a tightly contested fixture played at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC).

In the other men's first semi final, Green Eagles beat LCC Looters 96-87.
The Lovemore Sikaale-tutored Looters displayed their usual refined skills, but their rivals looked more enduring and played a basic game to carry the day.

Magic and Eagles will be guaranteed places in the final if they continue their winning ways against Pacers and Looters respectively in the second semi-finals next weekend.

In the ladies category, defending champions Shells beat UNZA Honeys 95-60, while LCC Lotresses narrowly defeated Buffaloes by a single point, 77-76.