Power and UCU struggled to take off in game one of the NBL best of five semi finals in Lugogo last night. The scoreboard reading 05:02 in favor of Power after 5 minutes of playing was so telling of the struggle to find fluidity in the game that lay ahead. Eventually on Syrus Kiviiri’s (team high 12 points) 2 of 3 shooting outside the arc, Power was able to break into a 17:12 first quarter finish. This fairly alright start probably the reason Power would go ahead to win by 3 points.
By halftime, Power had held onto a 3 points advantage, 29:26. The game only broke open in the third quarter with the Canons tying the score 34:34 with 5:09 to play in the Q3. A while later, the UCU Canons would take their first lead of the game with Chuma’s Fadhili’s emphatic posterization of Makala Libe – the hammer that electrified the crowd at Lugogo. Chuma caught Libe’s body from the right side of the baseline sending him to the deck. The hammer was complete with a stare down for which Chuma was penalized with a Tech. The Canons made some incredible defensive plays in Q3; compare, a total of 10 blocks for UCU Canons to Power’s 1 block. Q3 ended with the Canons leading with a fragile 1 point; 45:44.
The Canons stuck with the long ball for most of the night even against many misses. Forward Titus Lual alone, despite finishing with 12 boards and 4 assists was 0/8 in the field including 0/5 on the three. Titus uncharacteristically finished the game with no point despite being on the floor for 27 minutes. Shooting guard Isaiah Mabeny Ater also struggled shooting only 1/7 in the field including 0/6 outside the arc.
“We had a very slow start. Obviously it showed that we haven’t played in a month. The guys were a bit rusty and we missed so many shots which we usually make, I hope that doesn’t happen in game two.” – Nicholas Natuhereza, UCU Head Coach.
Power’s experience came into play in Q4 when the paint presence of Phillip Ameny and Soro Geofrey yielded. Soro Geofrey who’d been locked down and trash talked by Titus Lual came alive late in fourth with crucial And ones right away returning Lual’s trash and let him know his time had come.
Joseph Ikong also chosen Man of the Match with a tally of 11 points, 6 Rebs and 3 assists on 4/11 in the field had the big three late in the game that guaranteed the Power victory. Soro Geofrey missed twice on the charity line with a chance to win by 5 but Joas Maheta (13 points) turned it over. David Kongor finished with the game high 18 points on 7/18 shooting in the field while Syrus Kiviiri fresh from FIBA3X3 Africa cup top scored for Power with 12 points.
“Of course we’re delighted about the win but I can’t say we’re exactly satisfied with how we played today. We played a crappy game but we have an opportunity to change in game two’ – Arnold Mchuda, Betway PowerHead Coach.
To sum up how terrible the shooting was for both teams on the night, Power made 20 of their 83 field goal attempts while Canons made 19 of 70. Game 2 is Sunday.
brian@basketball256.net | Twitter: @Cucubrian
Must See
