Riham Warriors 76-75 Falcons (Warriors lead series 1-0)
KCCA Leopards 52-32 Magic Stormers (Leopards lead series 1-0)
Veteran center, Henry Malinga poured in 26 points including a go-ahead and 1 with 8 seconds and swatted 4 shots including a possible game winner at the buzzer and Riham Warriors edged Falcons 76-75 in game 1 of the Castle Lite best of five playoffs semi finals.
Falcons beat Warriors zone defense and led by 12 points at halftime as they were attacking the basket. “We did a good job on beating their zone but we went off what was working for us – driving” Falcons coach, Gad Eteu said.
Warriors adjusted their defense and offense in the third period and the defending champions went ahead for the first time (52-51) through Noel Hesborn’s and 1 with 1:24 and closed the period with score tied at 55. “We were casual from the start. We had to adjust our defense, scoring and moving the ball better” Warriors captain, Jude Ochen said.
Turning point:
With Falcons trailing 68-69, 1:38 from the final buzzer, two quick baskets from Steven Tumwesigye (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Geoffrey Omondi (6 points) took Falcons up 72-69 with 1:10. Warriors responded with 6 unanswered points from Malinga (4) and Ivan Enabu (2) took Warriors up 73-72 with 46 seconds. Tumwesigye tied from the line and took Falcons up 75-73 with a lay-up with 24 seconds. Warriors called for a timeout that was followed by Malinga’s controversial and 1 off a pulling foul with 8 seconds. Falcons called for a time out that was followed by Malinga’s blocking Tumwesigye’s lay-up at the buzzer
“Clearly that was a bad decision. He got fouled but it should have been a shooting 2 not and 1. The basket shouldn’t have stood.” Eteu said on Malinga’s game winning and 1.
“No controversy or whatsoever. He was in motion and that is a basket and 1” Ochen on Malinga’s game winner.
Ivan Enabu scored 16 points and swiped 5 steals for Warriors. Andrew Okot contributed 9 points off the bench.
Point guard, Abdulahi Ramadhan led Falcons with 18 points and 5 assists. Steven Omony added 14 points and Philip Ameny had 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Meanwhile KCCA Leopards found little trouble beating Magic Stormers 58-32 in the opening game of their series. Forward, Claire Lumunu scored 20 points and picked 9 rebounds to pace Leopards. Martha Soigi added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Carol Nyafwono and Sylvia Twesigye scored 8 points apiece for Stormers.
