by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Friday results
DMark Power 82-78 Marines
UCU Canons 68-82 Miracle
Women
A-1 Challenge 73-49 KIU
Today at YMCA
Crane High v Hawks 10am
UCU JV v Sky Jammers 11.30am
Vegetarian v Heaters 2.30pm
Warriors v Marines 5.30pm
Women
Mak Cubs v Nabisunsa 1pm
Stormers v Lady Canons 4pm
The recent chilly weather seems to be keeping away basketball crowds. Night games are now played before nearly-empty stands but the few that turned up at YMCA Wandegeya on Friday night were treated to one of the most entertaining games this season, thanks to a resilient Nkumba Marines side that made champions DMark Power look so ordinary.
Beaten, 110-66 in the first round fixture, Marines came fired up to inflict revenge on Power but fell short 78-82. Power made it 13 out of 13 and remain on course to finish the regular season unbeaten but Marines sent a warning to Warriors, their opponents tonight, that they are still capable of contending with the giants, comfortably.
Ken Balyejusa did the demolition job for Power, scoring 11 points and setting up several assists as Power held onto their slim (38-37) halftime lead to condemn former two-time champions Marines to their sixth loss of the season. Isaac Afidra top scored for Power with 16 points, Donald Blick grabbed 14 and his brother Norman 11.
Marines’ point guard Danson Nganti recorded a game high 19 points, Phillip Wakimwero 16 and Julius Lutwama 11 although he missed four free throws that would have changed the tide of the game inside the last two minutes.
With only five games to end the regular season, 2005 women champions A-1 Challenge also remain unbeaten after they easily demolished fading Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers 73-49 in an earlier game. Kassim Hatima (16 points), Rosette Meya (12) and Charlene Karungi (11) guided A-1 Challenge to their 15th victory while Judith Ayo (14) top scored for KIU and won the Man of the Match accolade. Miracle Eagles piled more misery on UCU Canons, beating them 82-68.