Basketball in Africa

In Summary

Results
Men:
Power96-91Miracle
Women:
UCU 60-37 A1
Today at YMCA
Men:
KIU v UCU (7.30pm)
Women:
Stormers v Gladiators (5.30pm)
Div II:
Riders v UCU JV (3.30pm)
Rez Life v Stormers (1.30pm)
Div III:
City Oil v Sharing (11.30am)
Crane v Kampala (9.30am)

Stephen Omony didn’t check in until Miracle Eagles had a 13-point lead to make up at the start of the second quarter. Three consecutive lay-ups off fast breaks from reserve Allan Musoke (7) told him that he was more relevant on the YMCA court than off it.

When he did come on, DMark Power stretched it to huge 23-point in the third quarter but only held on to defeat Miracle 96-91 in a thrilling MTN-Fuba League opener on Friday. Omony scored a game-high 26 points and five assists for a team seeking a maiden play-off appearance even though the champions were having nothing of that.

For them, beating Norman Blick (13), who left Power for Miracle in the off-season meant as much as setting the tone for the season ahead. Power, clearly the frontrunner of the five play-off contenders, led the way 27-20, 29-19 and 25-24 through the first three.

“That’s a very good team. They pushed us very hard but we managed to get through it,” guard Ben Komakech, 14 and nine assists, said. Komakech, aggressive compatriot Richard Balemwa (17) and forward Isaac Afidra with 21 points and 10 rebounds were simply unplayable early on.

The organisers felt wrong about the tip-off choice – this was becoming an anti-climax for the quiet huge crowd. They got vindication when Miracle took the final period 28-15 and at 2.08 seconds had cut the margin to four (87-91).

Jimmy Enabu (18), on his Power debut since signing from UCU Canons, was just not going to take a loss after Omony and Komakech had fouled out. In the early women’s game, Lorraine Akinyi shot 23 points and seven rebounds as champions UCU Lady Canons beat A1 Challenge 60-37.