Results
Warriors70-66 UCU
(Warriors, UCU level at 1-1)
Div. II:
Rhino 85-50 MBC
Div. III:
UCU JV 74-69Kings
(Rhino and UCU JV lead series 1-0)
Women:
KCC 67-72 A1
(KCC, A1 level at 1-1)
Kyambogo Warriors and A1 Challenge ensured that both the men’s division one and women’s MTN-Fuba League best-of-five semifinal series respectively will last until decisive game four at the very least.
At a packed MTN-NCS Arena Lugogo on Friday night, Warriors bounced back to defeat UCU Canons 70-66 in an ill-tempered contest moments after A1 overcame KCC 72-67 as all topflight series are now tied at 1-1.
There was near brawl late in the fourth quarter triggered by Warriors guard Jude Ochen swinging his hand in the direction of his UCU opposite Robert Mugabe as he picked an inbound.
Despite the latter play-acting on the floor, the umpires refused to stop the game which provoked Mugabe’s brother, Geoff Omondi (13-6-4), to question Warriors’ Abdullahi Ramadhan (16-4-3) about his teammates’ behaviour.
Mugabe joined in as the Tanzanian responded defiantly. In no time, UCU centre Sam Rukaire and his direct match Michael Kariuki (14-9-3) were peacemakers, only to deliver more chaos.
The ensuing fracas ended with Mugabe, Rukaire and Kariuki being expelled.
“Everyone saw what happened but as Fuba, we will sit and review the whole thing before making any sanctions,” Sande Manano, the Fuba organising secretary, said in a short comment after the game.
Following a competitive start with the first quarter ending 18-all, the champions took an 18-point lead at the halftime with a 29-11 second period shutout of UCU.
From then on, the university got better seizing the final two periods 14-8 and 23-15 correspondingly with Jimmy Enabu with having 12 points and 10 boards as his elder brother, Ivan (12), also UCU skipper, fouled out.
MVP Ronnie Kasewu’s dour post-season for Warriors continued when he was ejected for five fouls with six points and 11 rebounds. In a more tranquil early game, Hatima Kassim (24) and Betty Namukasa (14) pulled A1 level as they out-rebounded KCC 44-29 with the latter picking 16 boards. Becky Akullo was irresistible for KCC with 26 points.