Uganda’s Oilers maintain perfect start at BAL qualifiers

The win saw the Ugandans maintain their perfect start to the tourney after getting their campaign for a third BAL qualification off to a great start on Thursday, seeing off Fox basketball from South Sudan 77-47.

Against Matero Magic, the Andrew Tendo-coached Oilers had a strong start, going 18-15 up in a dominant first quarter performance, and extended their dominance in the second quarter, going into halftime with a 38-31 advantage.

They exploded in the third quarter, scoring 27 points while holding Matero Magic to just 12.

Despite Matero Magic’s efforts in the fourth quarter, the Oilers’ consistency and depth proved insurmountable.  

Parrish Petty of City Oilers emerged the standout performer, delivering 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while shooting an efficient 54.5% from the field. His leadership on the court set the tone for the Oilers.  

Alwel Sekunda contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing his versatility.  

Mister Moses (City Oilers) With 14 points and 7 rebounds, Moses provided a crucial inside presence for the Oilers.  

For Matero Magic, Donovan Lamont Jones led the charge with 20 points and 7 rebounds, but his efforts alone could not bridge the gap. Chimwemwe Ng’uni chipped in with 11

City Oilers outshot Matero Magic, converting 47.8% of their field goals compared to 38.6% for Matero.  

The Oilers dominated the boards, grabbing 53 rebounds (16 offensive) compared to Matero’s 44.  

City Oilers scored 42 points in the paint, nearly doubling Matero Magic’s 24.  

The third quarter proved decisive, as the City Oilers went on a scoring spree, highlighted by Petty and Sekunda’s combined efforts.

Matero Magic struggled to match the Oilers’ pace and intensity, managing only 12 points during this

With this victory, the City Oilers strengthened their position in the "Road to BAL 2025" tournament. Matero Magic, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to remain competitive in their upcoming fixtures.  

Coach Andrew Tendo Serunjogi of the Oilers expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their cohesion and defensive intensity as keys to the win.

Matero Magic’s coach Manuel Da Silva acknowledged the challenges and vowed to work on the team’s weaknesses and congratulated the opponent for the win.

“It's our second loss but that doesn't mean that we will give up. Our eyes and focus still remain on the competition.”

In other matches, Urunani dominated a win over Fox with a score of 70-61 victory in a thrilling encounter at Nyayo Gymnasium.