Warriors, Oilers, Heats, New Star move on to Elite 16 Round of BAL Qualifiers

DAR ES SALAAM (Tanzania) - The four teams from the BAL Division East 2022 Qualifiers played in Dar es Salaam have been determined following Sunday's action in Tanzania's largest city. 

Kenyan outfit Ulinzi Warriors defeated Cobra Sport of South Sudan 53-47 to register their first victory in a tightly-contested encounter.

Cobra Sport took an early 11-5 lead in the first quarter before opening up a 10-point gap at the half time break as Patrick Ngwijuruvugo's side looked the part. 

However, the army side came back a rejuvenated team in the third quarter thanks to Byron Wasilwa who eventually amassed 18 points and four rebounds to reduce the deficit to just one point in the third quarter 36-35. 

Ulinzi did not look back in the last quarter and managed to stay clear and pick their first victory in the tournament to join New Star as the two qualified teams from Group E to head to the Elite 16 Round of the BAL 2022 Qualifiers. 

Meanwhile, City Oilers made it two wins out of two after defeating Kurasini Heats of Tanzania 70-49 to remain unbeaten in Group D. 

Jimmy Enabu scored a game high 13 points, picked three rebounds and made three assists to guide the Ugandan league champions to a convincing victory over the hosts. 

Mandy Juruni's side led 11-9 in the first quarter and pulled away in the second quarter 33-26. City Oilers' experience over the years came into handy in the second half of the game as they stretched their lead to double digits and saw out the game. 

Nigerian import Nnamdi Okonkwo put up a man-of-the-match performance picking an impressive 13 rebounds, scored eight points and made seven blocked shots while teammate James Okello added nine points and registered seven rebounds. 

Tonny Drileba and John Balwigaire added eight points apiece while Titus Odeke scored seven points to ensure that City Oilers remained unbeaten in Group D. 

Alinan Musongole, Musa Maruga and Jackson Mwaipyanah netted 11, eight and seven points in that order for Kurasini Heats but their efforts were not enough to help the Tanzanian side win on the day. 

However, thanks to Kurasini Heats 54-27 win over Brave Hearts of Malawi, the Tanzanian winners have qualified for the Elite Round of 16 alongside Group D table leaders City Oilers, Group E table leaders New Star of Burundi and second-placed Ulinzi Warriors from Burundi. 

FIBA