Nam Blazers hand City Oilers first loss

The Nam Blazers gave their fans a reason to cheer and the Uganda basketball community something to talk about after defeating the City Oilers 60:54 to cut short their 5-game winning. The Blazers had last defeated the Oilers during the 2022 Game 6 NBL finals and this is a moment they had been looking forward…

2bob Sports

March 2, 2024

3–5 minutes

2024, City Oilers, Namuwongo Blazers, National Basketball League

The Nam Blazers gave their fans a reason to cheer and the Uganda basketball community something to talk about after defeating the City Oilers 60:54 to cut short their 5-game winning.

The Blazers had last defeated the Oilers during the 2022 Game 6 NBL finals and this is a moment they had been looking forward to since then.

For the casual observer, it may not have been particularly exciting, but for avid basketball fans, it was a strategic masterpiece, akin to a game of chess.

The Nam Blazers took a 1-point lead after the first period. Joseph Chuma was the force the Oilers couldn’t stop, he had 10 points, scoring all his 5 attempts in the quarter.

Joseph Chuma who scored 10 points from 5/5 attempts 📸 Toni Kamau

The Blazers seemed to have drifted off in the second quarter, their first points in that quarter came after about 5 minutes and as such, the City Oilers took a 7-point lead after an 8-0 run.

The third quarter was one of the most boring seem in the season so far with both teams combining for a total of 14 points.

City Oilers scored just 3 field goals with about 4 minutes between each. The Blazers scored 8 points, but they had a stretch of more than 4 minutes without a point. However, they kept themselves within touching distance, behind just 6 points heading into the fourth.

One could sense that trouble was brewing for the City Oilers after they were in foul trouble less than 2 minutes into the quarter.

The Nam Blazers scored 8 unanswered points to start the quarter to take a 2-point lead. The stand-out moments were Michael Makiadi finally scoring a 3-point after he had missed his first 5 attempts. Paul Odong who was graduating with his master’s on the same day also made a huge 3-point shot that tied the game and also was able to draw the foul on the shot and was sent to the line.

Paul Odong who scored the game-tying 3 point shot 📸 Toni Kamau

From there onwards, both teams were taking turns with leading the game until the Blazers scored 6 free throws to extend the lead to 7 and ultimately bury the game.

With 33 seconds left, the Blazers had a 6 point lead, however, Chuol Nyuot was called for the unsportsmanlike and this opened a window for Oilers to possibly force a comeback.

Mer Maker scored just 1 of the 2 free throws and after a timeout, he made an airball on the 3 point shot attempt and the Blazers took the game.

Talking points

Foul trouble

This plagued the City Oilers, particularly in the fourth quarter and as a result, the Nam Blazers feasted from the Free throw line.

After less than 2 minutes played in the final quarter, the 9-time champions had amassed 4 fouls, after a reckless Malual Dier offensive foul deep inside his own back court as he was trying to get open for the pass.

The Blazers’ 19 of a total 24 Free throw attempts came in the fourth alone, however, they converted only 11 but still had the edge in that period.

The Blazers also had troubles of their own, Joseph Chuma who had been their leading scorer had to be taken out momentarily after reaching 3 fouls in the third quarter.

Tension

The tension during the game was super high that even the fans had their hearts hanging for most of the second half. The game also had to be stopped after a fan had power water on the court and it took a moment to dry the place.

The players were too careful not to make mistakes although in the end, they made very many, particularly on the finishing. Given that these 2 came into the game as the top 2 best in offensive rating, it was very surprising to see very few scores on the board.

Blazers 31% FG and Oilers 27% FG are the lowest these 2 teams have produced this season and they had a combined 39 field Goals made.

The shooting from deep was also not as great as people expected. An unlikely source, Titus Lual scored 3/7 3-point shots, while 3 of the Blazers 6 came in the final quarter.

Match Stats