NBL Finals | Game One | Result
- Namuwongo Blazers 70-76 City Oilers
Chad Bowie scored a game-high 29 points as City Oilers took game one of the National Basketball League (NBL) Finals in the opening game of the best-of-seven series.
City Oilers secured a well-deserved 76-70 victory against rivals Namuwongo Blazers in the NBL Finals encounter at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Friday.
Nam Blazers got out of their blocks early, opening a 7-0 run with three minutes into the game before Andrew Tendo was forced to call a timeout.
Joel Lukoji lit up the floor with amazing handles before Kurt Wegscheider and Chad Bowie combined to narrow down the deficit to two points (13-11) with three minutes on the clock.
Chad’s hot hand kept serving, thus concluding the first period with a three-point jump shot to create a five-point (18-13) lead.
Several turnovers cost the Blazers as the Oilers, who took good care of the ball, had a six-point lead (37-31) at the halftime break.
Coming from the locker rooms, the Blazers continued to suffer from continuous turnovers but slightly improved their defence thanks to Anthony Chukwubuka Chukwurah’s strong hands. However, the City Oilers held onto a three-point lead (53-50) at the end of the period.
With 7:46 minutes on the clock, Arthur Wanyoto’s successful trip on the line tied the game (56-56) but Mer Maker and Chad Bowie recreated the Oilers’ lead in no time.
With 4:18 minutes left, the City Oilers suffered a big blow as Mer Maker fouled out after elbowing the Blazers’ Centre James Okello.
Despite the strong fight from the Blazers, the Oilers secured a six-point victory on the day in front of a large crowd.
Kurt Wegscheider (16 points) and Joseph Chuma (12 points) joined Chad Bowie in double digits for the City Oilers.
Only Joel Lukoji (22 points) reached double digits for the Blazers, who looked rusty on the day.
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