NAIROBI (Kenya) - It was a game of two halves as Uganda's City Oilers and Burundi's Urunani renewed rivalry in the East Division Elite 16. The match ended with Urunani prevailing 78-75 in overtime.
Parrish Petty shot 5-of-9 from behind the arc in the opening half of Uganda's City Oilers against rivals Urunani for 17 points, leading his side to a 41-26 first half, but the latter turned the game on its head to force an overtime and go on to win and stay perfect in Group B.
The match was a repeat of the 2022 Semis at this same level and Urunani doing what they were unable to achieve two years ago, sweet revenge as they head to the all-important Semis.
Andrew Tendo's men dominated in quarters of 20-13 and 21-13, stretching their advantage to 20 with a 13-8 run in the opening minutes of the third (54-34).
Jean-Jacques Boissy, who had scored just 7 points in the opening half, rose for back-to-back treys, to cut their deficit to 12. Malick Genzahayo shot a buzzer-beater to close the third at 60-50. The next 10 minutes belonged to the Burundi champions, forcing an overtime.
TURNING POINT: A 17-7 fourth quarter for Urunani that had Genzahayo rising for 10 with Marcus Christopher Crawford who had a quiet game knocking down a trey, and all the difference for the Mamadou Pabi Gueye charges. Petty stepped on the line, for an opportunity to restore the lead for Oilers, missing once to tie the game at 67 for OT. An 11-8 run sealed the win.
Oilers missed their main centes, Israel Otobo and Maker Mer heading to OT and their absence was definitely felt as the former led the side's defense with a game-high 21 rebounds, completing his double-double with 11 points.
HERO: Genzahayo's 10 points in the last quarter, having been the floor general, sitting in for Boissy, who was in foul trouble, pulled Urunani back into the game in the final period, going on to win a match they had trailed by 22 in the early stages.
STATS DON'T LIE: Oilers might have bossed the paint 34-26 while Urunani were quicker on the fast break going 30-17, but the difference could easily have come from the free-throw line. The Burundi champions were almost perfect, missing only four of 24. Oilers went 17-of-28, missing 11.
BOTTOM LINE: Both sides are through to the Last-Four and while history beckons for Urunani, Oilers are chasing their third BAL qualification.
WHAT WAS SAID: "We had a good start but they played a more aggressive second half. A few turnovers in crucial moments in the final quarter also did us in as they took advantage and punished us. Losing two key players to fouls in such a game had its impact too. In the Semis we will need to be more clinical, aggressive and make better decisions in key moments to assure ourselves a place in BAL," Titus Odeke, Oilers forward.
"We believed in ourselves despite the slow start and fought on for victory. They started strong and it took us a bit of time to adjust. Heading to the Semis, we will bring the same energy, and stick to our game plan," Landry Ndikumana, captain Urunani.
FIBA