FUBA National Basketball League
UCU Canons 69-79 City Oilers (Series:1-2)
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Sunday, 01-12-2019
LUGOGO – Landry Ndikumana was the star of the show as City Oilers defeated UCU Canons 79-69 on Sunday night.
Ndikumana who has been one of Oilers’ outstanding players in the past few years took matter in his own hands as he scored a game-high 29points to ensure Oilers take a 2-1 series lead.
Shooting 11-17, the Center/Power Foward also collected 7 rebounds to eventually walk away with his player of the game accolade in the 2019 finals.
Oilers came into the game on the back of a game two victory and started strongly as James Okello sank a two off a jump shot and by the end of the first quarter, they led by 9 (18-9).
Their advantage was increased to 10 by the long break after winning the second quarter 16-15.
UCU looked to be on course for a come-back as they won the third 22-17 and ensured Oilers lead was cut to just five points (51-46) going into the last 10 minutes.
However, Oilers stood firm and repelled all that UCU threw at them, eventually taking the fourth 28-23 and in process seal a 79-69 victory.
Tony Drileba (11), Jimmy Enabu (13) and Ben Komakech (12) were the other Oilers who managed double figure in terms of scoring.
For UCU, Fayed Bale top scored with 19 points while Fadhili Chuma managed 14 points on the night. Titus Lual was also in decent form as he collected a game-high 11 boards.
The win in game three see Mandy Juruni’s side take a 2-1 series lead in the finals.
Victory in the next two games will see Oilers crowned champions for the 7th time running.
Game four will be played on Wednesday night at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.
In the Ladies division, JKL Lady Dolphins also now have a 2-1 series lead over UCU Lady Canons following a 60-55 victory on Sunday.
Despite their bench contributing just six points, it was the starters who came up big for JKL as Flavia Oketcho managed 14 points while Hope Akello and Stella Oyella each scored 15.
For UCU, Sarah Ageno scored a game-high 17 points but it was not enough as they succumbed to a second loss of the series.
Just like Oilers, JKL also need to win the next two games so as they are crowned back to back champions.
