NAIROBI (Kenya) - Fox basketball took hard lessons in their opening match in the East Division Elite 16 against City Oilers and it was, according to coach Ajou Deng, a wake-up call as they returned for their second match against Burundi's Urunani a totally different outfit. They, however, could not find their finishing power as they went down 70-61 in a match that witnessed a competition-high 14 lead changes. In a match many would have expected the South Sudan side to struggle against the unbeaten (from Group Phase) Burundians, they held their own matching Mamadou Pabi Gueye's men point-for- point to lead 8-7 halfway through the opening quarter that had six lead changes, ending 14-10 in favour of Gueye's men. Stephen Garbrah started a 10-point run for Fox in the second quarter, Aluk Adub and Akuel Marko Kot contributing a trey each to lead 20-16. Mohamed Doumbya leveled the score from range at 23 points with 2:41 to play as Urunani restored their lead to head to the locker rooms on the slimmest of advantages at 26-25.
TURNING POINT: Back-to-back treys for Fox off Makuei Puondak and Gob Makuac Gob, and one for Jean-Jacques Boissy for Urunani had Fox leading 31-29 early in the third quarter and that was Gueye's cue to introduce Christopher Crawford who had, so far, stayed out. His first contribution, from beyond the arc with 4:14 minutes to play, started a 9-1 run for his side to turn the tide in their favour for as they assumed their biggest lead so far at 47-37, with 2:20 on the clock, Fox cutting the lead to 49-44 heading to the final period. Deng's charges, not for lack of trying, could, however, not muster the finishing kick as they went on to lose the HERO: While Crawford's contribution on being introduced, for just over 16 minutes before he was ejected, changed the game in Urunani's favour, Doumbya's presence cannot be ignored as he rose for a 23-points, 17-rebound double-double to lead the side to victory. STATS DON'T LIE: Urunani had better presence on the paint, going 32-20 and that made a difference in a match that was closely contested on all fronts. BOTTOM LINE: Urunani are now 6-0 in the Road to BAL, but their job is far from done, despite assuring themselves of a place in the Semis. Fox have to regroup and chase a win in their last match against Matero Magic. THEY SAID: "This is a good off great team effort and it put us in a good spot to advance. For sure we had some challenges in the first half but we relied on our defense. As long as the defense is well done, we can keep on winning. The last Group Phase game will be tough but I believe it's going to be won through physicality and tactics. We will follow coaches plan about it and hopefully we will get the win," Urunani forward Mohamed Doumbya.
"Urunani did a great job with stoppages and making plays down the stretch and we didn't take care of the ball well. This being our first time on this stage, I am incredibly proud of these guys and the fight they brought into this game and the competition as a whole. We still have a match to handle, we will make a few adjustments and chase that win," Fox Basketball power forward Makuwei Puondak.
FIBA