by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Wednesday results
L. Canons 57-62 A-1 Challenge
Falcons 71-73 Warriors
Today at YMCA (Game 3)
Leopards v Rangers 6pm
KIU v DMark Power 8pm
Falcons must be regretting why they cleared Jude Ochen to join Warriors.
The point guard, a fringe player at Falcons three years ago, on Wednesday sunk in a three pointer at the buzzer to give Warriors a 73-71 win and a 2-0 lead in the MTN-Fuba League best-of-five semi-final play-off series.
All Falcons players and fans at YMCA Wandegeya were left stunned by Ochen’s monstrous shot, which he sent flying metres away from the three-point arc.
Their disappointment was justified. With four seconds to the final whistle, Isaac Lugudde calmly guided home two free throws that helped Falcons take a 71-70 lead yet they had been trailing by seven points going into the final two minutes.
Lugudde looked like he had won it and evened the series for Falcons and celebrations had already started. But Ochen had other ideas; after a quick inbound, he dashed to the left flank and released a shot that slotted in at the same time with the final whistle. Warriors fans couldn’t help but celebrate like they had won the championship.
“I knew I could win the game,” an ecstatic Ochen (13 points), lifted shoulder-high by animated fans, said. “It’s a great feeling and I am sure Warriors are now in the final.” Warriors can seal a final slot tomorrow but may need another Ochen magic moment to overcome the considerably improved Falcons. “We are down but not out,” Falcons’ Kenyan coach Michael Mureithi vowed. “Going by our performance today, I think we still have a chance,” he added.
Warriors comfortably won Game One 89-74 but with the Malinga brothers Henry (10) and Eric (8) back in full action after injury layoffs, Falcons matched their opponents toe-to-toe. The first two quarters ended level 17-17 and 14-14 but Warriors had a one-point cushion (49-48) going into the final session, which they capitalised on to snatch the game. Stephen Omony top scored with 25 points and Sam Obol added 12 for Falcons while Warriors’ Brian Gumisiriza and Steven Okias combined for 24. A-1 Challenge also took a 2-0 lead in the series after defeating women title holders Lady Canons 62-57.