Sunday, February 25
*A1 Challenge 56-83 Magic Stormers
*Miracle Ravens 83-41 Nabisunsa
*Ndejje Angels 51-70 KCCA Panthers
*UPDF Lady Tomahawks 63-76 JT Lady Jaguars
*JT Jaguars 76-85 Nam Blazers (OT)
Nam Blazers needed overtime to clinch a hard-fought victory over the JT Jaguars in the National Basketball League game played at YMCA court in Wandegeya on Saturday.
The Blazers, initially poised to dominate with a 23-17 lead after the first quarter, faced fierce resistance from the tenacious JT Jaguars, who clawed their way back into contention, narrowing the deficit to a single point as the game entered its final quarter.
With the tension escalating, the Blazers relied on Michael Makiadi’s clutch layup in the dying moments to deadlock the score at 73-73, pushing the game into overtime.
However, it was during this additional period that the JT Jaguars, despite a valiant effort, having their wheels fall off, succumbing to a 12-03 onslaught by the relentless Blazers.
It’s a notable performance from the Kira-based league debutants, who exhibited impressive accuracy from beyond the arc, shooting 12-for-35.
The Blazers on the other hand, showcased their dominance on the boards, out-rebounding the Jaguars 48-39 while maintaining composure with just five turnovers throughout the game.
Leading the charge for the Blazers were Michael Makiadi and Peter Cheng, both delivering stellar performances with a joint game-high of 24 points each. Supporting their efforts were Innocent Ochera and Joseph Chuma, contributing 15 and 13 points respectively.
Despite the loss, the JT Jaguars displayed resilience, with Benjamin Shango recording a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Abraham Dut and Kevin Moru also made significant contributions with 16 and 14 points, respectively.
The victory marks the fourth win for the Nam Blazers in five games, following earlier triumphs against Kampala Rockets, KCCA Panthers, and KIU Titans. Their sole defeat came at the hands of Our Saviour in a closely contested match.
Meanwhile, the JT Jaguars, who commenced the season with three consecutive victories, have encountered a setback, suffering three consecutive losses in their recent outings.
