NBL Playoffs:
City Oilers 70-54 UCU Canons
City Oilers needed a huge fourth quarter performance to defeat UCU Canons 70-54 in the first game of their 5-game series on Friday night.
The defending champions started with an 11-4 run in the opening 5 minutes but were kept within close range as the first quarter ended 20-13.
The Canons attempted a comeback in the second quarter in which they scored 13 points against Oilers’ 9 to go into halftime trailing by 3 points (29-26).
Jonah Otim banked a 3-pointer at the start of the second half to lead the breakaway with UCU players getting into foul trouble.
Mike Madol came off the bench in the third to replace Jonathan Egau who eventually fouled out in the last 10 minutes.
The three time champions went into the last 10 minutes with a 5-point lead (50-45) and it gave them ground to break away in the final quarter.
With Brian Namake and Fadhil Chuma in foul trouble, the Mukono outfit were rattled as Oilers rallied on for a 70-54 win to get the advantage in the series.
Kami Kabange scored a game high 17 points while Jonah Otim had 13 for the defending champions. Ben Komakech and Jimmy Enabu had 9 points each.
Steve Wundi and Fadhil Chuma led the Canons with 10 points apiece while Namake, Madol and Egau contributed 9, 7 and 6 respectively.