Lions roar past Jozi Nuggets for debut win
JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - Namibian side Lions surprised hosts Jozi Nuggets 74-67 on Thursday in a closely contested encounter to register their first win in Group E of the Basketball Africa League...
JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - Namibian side Lions surprised hosts Jozi Nuggets 74-67 on Thursday in a closely contested encounter to register their first win in Group E of the Basketball Africa League Qualifying Tournament.
Lions led 19-13 at the end of the first quarter but a strong comeback in the second quarter guided the South African side to a 38-33 halftime lead.
Anthony Williams Auchab's side returned from the break in beast mode and threw everything on the court and it was not a surprise that they edged the hosts who struggled to play good defense as the Lions exposed them.
“WE RALLIED AND WERE ABLE TO PULL THROUGH. WE NEEDED THIS VICTORY TO LIFT OUR CONFIDENCE AND ARE REALLY HAPPY. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE PLAYERS AS THEY NOW KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT HERE TO FILL UP THE TOURNAMENT ROSTER. ”
Auchab told FIBA.basketball that, Jozi Nuggets are a really good team and as worthy opponents adjusted to our early lead. When we were down , it was self-belief and discipline that got us to push through at the end. I think we started the tournament slow but should be able to end strong."
"We rallied and were able to pull through. We needed this victory to lift our confidence and are really happy. It was important to the players as they now know that they are not here to fill up the tournament roster."
Auchab celebrates Lions incredible victory
Allan Nghixulifwa stood out with a double double scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds while his teammates Michael Popisi Mukumbutaa and Joe Sinala Banda added 15 and 14 points in that order to earn a well-deserved victory for the Lions.
Meanwhile, Ferroviario de Maputo cruised to their third consecutive victory at the competition when they defeated Mercenaries from Zimbabwe 100-72.
Spanish import Alvaro Calvo Masa was unstoppable dropping a game high 28 points and 12 points to ensure the Mozambican side maintained top spot on the Group E table standings.
Masa is averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds for Ferroviario
Paul Maturure Tatenda sunk 27 points for the Mercenaries but his efforts were not enough to help them emerge victorious.
In the other game of the day, the University of Zambia Pacers were in fine form beating Dolphins 72-54 to pick their third consecutive win and closer to a place in the Second Round of the Basketball Africa League - feat set aside for the top two teams.
FIBA