By Oliver Albert
Front-runners Savio refreshed their lead in the ongoing Regional Basketball League after posting a 73-63 victory over Chang'ombe United at the National Indoor Stadium late Sunday.
The thrilling encounter saw them teams tying 57-57 at the end of normal time before Savio used well the 5-minute extra time to secure the victory.
Chang'ombe United had looked certain to win the encounter after leading the first two quarters. Banking on Adam Jegame and Mohamed Makani's lethal partnership, they eased into halftime with a 33-21 lead.
Savio's three-pointer Mohamedy Yusuph and George Tarimo fought hard in the third quarter, managing to force a 42-point stalemate at the end of the third quarter.
Chang'ombe could have won 57-55 five seconds to the stoppage time, but for the foul committed by their player Mohamed Mbwana. Mohamed Yusuf converted to force the game into extra time.
Savio converted their points through George Tarimo who penned 24, and Mohamed Yusuf who added 20, while Chang'ombe United's Jegame tallied 17 points.
In the second match at the venue, ABC played impressively to beat Tanzania Prisons 83-71.
ABC, who had opened a 33-30 gap by the end of the first half, went on claim the victory with additional 50 points in the remaining two quarters.
Haleluya Kavalambi, who carded 27 points for the winners, was the match's top scorer followed by his teammate Godfrey Shangwe who scored 23 points.
TZ Prisons Richard Rover registered 12 points while his teammate John Damas added 9.