The City Oilers registered their second consecutive loss of the season after falling prey to the ‘hungry’ JT Jaguars.

The Jaguars defeated the Oilers 74-64 but it was their defense that gave them the edge over the 10-time champions.

JT Jaguars took the lead 2 minutes into the game and they never gave it up till the end.

From the first quarter, you could tell that they were locked in defensively and this translated into offense.

City Oilers trailed 14-18 after the first period but the optimism of coming back and taking the lead was very high.

In the second quarter, the Jaguars still led the game but only slightly.

They couldn’t create separation from the Oilers and they left a window open which the reigning champions could have used but they never did.

Elijah Adakun hit a triple on the buzzer to give JT a 6-point lead heading into halftime and that seemed to have sparked something.

The defensive energy exhibited by the Jaguars in the third quarter was something to behold.

However, it was as though they made 3 steps forward and 2 steps backward.

Every time they looked like they had cornered the Oilers, they had a lapse or two and kept the Oilers in the game.

They also missed 8 of 12 free throws and this played right in the hands of the defending Champions.

The Oilers scored their first fourth-quarter field goal more than 3:30 into the game and with that bluntness on offense, it was always going to be difficult to make a comeback.

It was a 5-point game with 6:13 left but the Jaguars made one big play after another, down the stretch and the Oilers couldn’t catch up.

In the end, the JT Jaguars managed to hold on and take a deserved 74-64 victory against the defending Champions.

Coaches Reactions

City Oilers Head Coach Andrew Tendo shared his thoughts on the game.

“We had a moment in the game where we got together and started playing as a team. We brought the game back to even scores but unfortunately, we gave away turnovers at the top of the key and they cost us”

“We could have done better on the defensive boards, we have one of the longest teams in the league. Defense is an effort, if you are lackluster and the other guy wants the basket, they are going to get it.

It was really about effort.“

About the mentality of the players, he had this to say;

“It was just one of those days were mentally, your players are not in the right place”

Finally, he commented on whether these first 2 losses are a concern and their need to improve defensively.

“It is a concern for me because we haven’t had back-to-back losses in a really long time. There is a lot that needs to be revised”

“Our effort on defense  was zero and we really have to step it up”

JT Jaguars head coach Sudi Ulanga shared his thoughts after the game.

“We set the tone early and defended well. City Oilers had 5 points in 8 minutes which was a plus for us”

“My take is doing the right things consistently and for the most parts today, we kept doing the right things and we managed to get the win”

When asked what his message was to the prior to game, he said;

“I told the boys that I don’t want anyone to go back home saying that I could have done better. I need you to give out everything in the game”

He also commented on his defense and use of the bench.

“We are very comfortable with set defenses. We are always prepared for both.”

“I was very comfortable playing the second unit and they gave us a lot. They are the reason why we won this game.”

“Had we shot our free throws better, we could have won this game by at least 15 points.”

He concluded with what this victory meant for his ‘young’ team and how it could help them.

“It is a very good win for the young players. We believe so much in young talent and thats the reason we did not recruit heavily.

Wins like these can unlock their potential and I believe it is a very important one”

Match Stats

JT Jaguars

Aaron Eboyu 13 pts, 4 stl

Ian Lubwama 15 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast

Elijah Adakun 14 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast

Were Mark 11 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast

Chuma Fadhili 11 ptsz 8 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl

City Oilers

Rogers Dauna 16 pts, 8 reb

Joseph Chuma 12 pts, 10 reb

Edgar Munaba 12 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast

Match Facts

JT Jaguars had 5 players score double digits. They are the second team to hit that mark this season.

This was the first time the JT Jaguars registered a victory against the City Oilers.

This is the first time that City Oilers have lost back-to-back games since the 2022 NBL Finals against Nam Blazers.

The Oilers are yet to win a game this season, and in their next encounter, they face Kampala Rockets on 12th April.

The JT Jaguars have had a perfect start to their season, and they will be looking to keep the fire burning when they play another ‘contender’ Namuwongo Blazers, on 4th April at Lugogo.