Basketball in Africa

By Sande Bashaija
Lugogo

NATIONAL Basketball League defending champions Nkumba Marines need serious prayers if they are to make this season's play-offs.

On Friday night, Marines were silenced 75-62 by table leaders Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono Canons in a game that kept fans on their feet until the final whistle.

It was their fifth loss of the season. Canons had lost to Marines in the Falcons Invitational Tournament final last weekend and had a point to prove on Friday.
They were spot on. Norman Blick gave Marines a flying start with a slam dunk after just 15 seconds and Carrol Bisereko (11) added a three-pointer to make it 5-0 after 30 seconds, prompting wild cheers from the partisan Lugogo crowd.
UCU recovered in third quarter (21-12) and went into the last quarter with a four-point lead, which they capitalized on to beat the hard fighting Marines.

"Players just had their ideas in that tense situation and what they tried out didn't work," Marines coach Timothy Odeke said. UCU Canons are now unbeaten in the local league since they joined third division in 2005. "I think we are now sure of a play-offs slot," UCU coach Jason Mehl boasted.
The two-time defending champions are fifth on the 10-team table with 14 points from 10 games and must rediscover their form if they are to thwart other play-offs contenders Mogas Falcons and Sadolin Power. Luckily for Marines, Power was beaten on Wednesday by Warriors while Falcons'miserable run continued with a 61-63 loss to Charging Rhino.

In the other game on the night, Mande Juruni (13) and Alex Ochola exhibited a resolute performance as they helped Charging Rhino steal maximum points from record champions Mogas Falcons 63-61 in a tense encounter. A-1 Challenge edged UCU 49-43 in the only women's game. Action resumes today at the YMCA Courts in Wandegeya.

Results
Canons 75-62 Marines
Rhino 63-61 Falcons
A-1 Challenge 49-43 UCU

Today at YMCA
Lady Bucks v KCC Leopards
Planets v Bugema
Gulu Hawks v MBC Rocks
St. Michael v Lugazi
Amazon v Victoria Lakers
Heaters v Power

# posted by afrbk : 15:21