NAIROBI (Kenya) - MBB Blue Soldiers have Dyvonne Pfachi to thank for their dominance over neighbours Malawi as the Southern Africa derby ended 90-61 in favour the Cyril Shabalala's men. Pfachi, who had a mind-blowing 100 percent shooting on field-goals, combined with Marcus Mokwena for 52 in a game of two halves that had the South Africans survive Bravehearts onslaught early on to get back to winning ways after opening their competition with a 102-59 loss to Nairobi City Thunder. The side enjoyed a perfect start, going ahead 24-8 in the opening eight minutes but their world crumbled in a short two minutes as Harrison Banda led the Malawians in a 14-0 run, cutting their deficit to just a basket as the period concluded. Bernard Kawanga gave Bravehearts the lead for the first time in the opening minute of the second stanza, shooting from range but Lebese Selepe responded immediately, Khiry Shemar Shelton running the clash into an exchange of leads and treys. Christopher Karrol Williams' layup made it 34-31 for Malawians, Selepe drawing MBB level at 34. Neo Mothiba's trey grabbed the lead for MBB as they went on to lead 44-39. That, however, was all the resistance Bravehearts have they crumbled in a third quarter 28-9 shut out, MBB killing off the match with a 18-13 show.
TURNING POINT: Bravehearts' comeback in the opening quarter set coach Shabalala off as he called on his troops to get their rhythm back but the Malawians goose got cooked when they allowed MBB to dictate pace in the third quarter for 28-9.
HERO: Pfachi gave the fans at Nyayo Gymnasium a basketball masterpiece, shooting 100% on field goals and missing just once in eight attempts on the free-throw line for a game-high 32 points, adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists for 41 in efficiency.
STATS DON'T LIE: In a match that witnessed 11 lead changes and four ties, MBB's 12-of- 25 on trebles proved a game changer. Pfachi was 5-of-5 from range with Mothiba going 4-of-9 as the duo propelled their side to victory. The side also took care of the ball better but the ball sharing stats went to Bravehearts who registered 21 assists.
THEY SAID: "We bounced back after playing as a team as opposed to the opening match. Today's goal was to play hard, play for everyone and as a team. They gave us trouble with rebounding early on but we recovered to win. As we head to the last group game, we have a Semis slot on the line and hope to carry this momentum to Sunday's clash," Dyvonne Pfachi Pfachi. "We played to our game plan but we had a defensive lapse. We were too exposed and they killed us. We go back to the drawing board, work on our defense and come Sunday it will be a different show. All the same, this has been a great experience, being the first Malawian team to qualify for Elite 16. It is a step in the right direction for our country's basketball," Harrison Banda.
FIBA