HARARE (Zimbabwe) - The midway point of the Road to BAL Group E Division East would decide which team would get their foot in the door of the Elite 16 on Friday.
Botswana Defence Force (BDF) started the day with a duel against Bravehearts from Malawi. Both sides came into the fixture on the back of two losses, and victory would boost either team's Elite 16 chances with two games remaining in the competition.
Here's what happened at the City Sports Centre:
Bravehearts get gritty win over BDF
The Bravehearts had fewer numbers in their squad but showed grit and determination as they hung against their opponents from start to finish and got a deserved 72-70 victory.
A double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds) from Harrison Banda, a game-high 22 points from Faad Billy and Ian Limbe's 16 helped Bravehearts clinch a first victory in Group E.
Things got interesting in the game's final seconds, with Kesaobaka Ndwanyana landing a clutch three to tie the game 70-70. From the Bravehearts' inbound, Ian Limbe got fouled while bringing up the ball, and with BDF in the penalty, he landed clutch free-throws for the two-point win.
"It's been dream for us to come here and get a win, and biggest is to get to he Elite 16. We had to be disciplined because we only have eight players on the floor and that's we got the win," said Billy.
Jones weaves magic for Matero
Demond Jones' 21 points extended Matero Magic's unbeaten run and helped get a sweet 67-63 win over Fox Basketball Club.
Matero and Fox have been the most convincing clubs in Group E, and the winner of this battle would be in a good place for an Elite 16 spot.
The first half was a see-saw battle which saw Matero dominate the first quarter 16-7, but Fox burrowed out of the hole in the second with Poundak's game-leading 13 points and Murial dropping 11 for the South Sudanese head into the second leading 32-26.
Matero took control of the game for the better part of the second half, but it was short-lived when Fox tied the game 59-59 and temporarily led through a solitary free throw from Peter Marial.
But Jones' single free-throw and bucket and Isaac Adamoko's layup in between ensured Matero would not be denied a third win.
"It feels good. We are building momentum one game at a time. Fox is a good team, and getting a win against them is a big confidence builder. I'm praying the team maintains its focus, and so we finish tournament with wins," said Chono Chonga, who finished the game with 13 points.
Costa do Sol a class above Hounds
Costa do Sol got a much-needed 86-62 win over host club Basket Hounds.
Nilton Seifane and Ayad Munguambe dropped 20 points each for the uplifting win for the Mozambican club.
Hounds came into the fixture with a 2-0 record, while Costa do Sol had the opposite (0-2).
Costa do Sol demonstrated their high basketball IQ and raced to a 44-28 lead in the game they desperately needed to win to improve their chances of making the Elite 16.
Innocent Zhomwa of Hounds led all scorers with 12 points, while Danillo Cumbe of Costa followed with 10.
Hounds were no match for the more polished Mozambicans. The Zimbabwean club will face more difficult tasks against Matero (Saturday) and Fox (Sunday).
FIBA