After scoring just four points in the opening period, Geoffrey Soro exploded for 30 points in the next three frames as Ndejje Angels downed Riham Warriors 84-69 Wednesday night at the MTN Arena.
“We have always wanted to beat a big team like Warriors,” a thrilled Soro told Kawowo Sports.
Angels (9-4) started the game strong and closed out the first quarter leading 24-15 led by Brian Ouma who scored 11 of his 15 points in the opening ten minutes and there after Soro took over and Ndejje never trailed as they handed Warriors their third loss of the season.
“We have grown as a team. We have been coming close but losing by a few points at the end and all we needed was a little composure and we are there” Angels’ coach, Walker Obedi said.
The Warriors fought valiantly throughout the third quarter, with a flurry of post plays by Henry Malinga to bring the game with in their reach but there was just too much Soro. With his gargantuan frame, the power forward repeatedly glided through the key for uncontested shots. “I started the season slow but am getting back” he said.
Warriors (10-3) were poor on the defensive end. Leave alone matching Ndejje’s rolling offense, the defending champions couldn’t rebound. “That (rebounding) has been our problem” Warriors’ skipper Jude Ochen admitted.
Ndejje constantly found holes in their defence picking 10 offensive rebounds to add to 23 on the defensive glass. Center, Jeje Chaka and point guard Francis Tumusiime scored 11 points each for Ndejje.
“We just failed to defend today. A few of us were not moving – call it a bad day” Ochen added.
Sylvian Yunzu matched season high 10 points for Warriors, 5 coming in the second half in which he played sporadically. Despite Angels collapsing on him, Malinga scored team high 15 points and picked 9 rebounds. Brian Gumisiriza and Ochen contributed 11 points apiece.
Warriors were without guards Ronnie Kasewu and Ivan Enabu due to injury. “Hopefully they will return in the next game” Ochen said of the pair.
Meanwhile in the women’s division, KCCA Leopards capitalised on Magic Stormers four successive turnovers at the start of the fourth quarter to pull away for a 64-42 win. Leopards (11-2) were led by Claire Lamunu with 16 points and Flavia Oketcho added 12 points as the defending champions rebounded from Sunday’s loss to KIU. Carol Nyafwono and Aisha Kamana paced Stomers (8-6) with 11 and 10 points respectively.
