Basketball in Africa

Today at YMCA
Power v UCU Canons (8.30pm)
Miracle v Marines (5.30pm)
W: Stormers v Mak Sparks (7pm)
Results – Wednesday
Miracle 99-82 Riders
Amazon 34-99 A-1
UCU JV 91-53 Bush Court

Miracle Eagles recruited massively in the transfer window in a bid to reach the MTN-Fuba League Division I post-season for the first time. One game may not silence the critics but Wednesday night’s 99-82 win over Knight Riders at YMCA helped Miracle get rid of a few jitters.

Expectations are high but youthful coach Brian Rugyendo, in his first season, blamed nerves as his team trailed 29-19 at the end of the first quarter. “Many of the new players struggled to get going which made the game close but team defence got us the result,” Rugyendo, whose team were behind at 63-62 going into the final quarter, told Daily Monitor.

Former Riders’ skipper Collin Mukiza (12) scored two crucial three pointers in the fourth quarter to reach double figures. “My target is to get the team playing together and create an identity,” Rugyendo added. In the women’s division, A1 Challenge started their campaign with a 99-34 win over Amazon Rhino. Vicky Nassolo sunk in 32 points.