The Namuwongo Blazers showed us a side to their game that hadn’t been seen yet in the second half against the JT Jaguars.

They amplified their defense to a very high level and the Jaguars seemed lost; they had no answer.

JT scored just 8 points on 3/17 FG in the third while Namuwongo scored 20 points, 10/18 FG to take a 14-point lead with the final 10 minutes left.

To be honest, after being squeezed to the wall like that, it was always going to be a tough ask for the Jaguars to change the tides in the second half.

Halfway the final period, the Blazers had increased their lead to 23 and it was a done deal.

In the end, the Blazers registered a comfortable 83-57 victory to extend their winning record or 4/4.

Ahead of this game, both teams were unbeaten and a lot was at stake.

The first half was an evenly contested match attesting to how much both teams needed the win.

The Blazers led the game 23-14 after the first quarter but it was Michael Makiadi who stole the show with 4 3-point shots made.

However, in the second quarter, the Jaguars showed what they are capable of.

They limited the Blazers to just 2 points in the first 6 minutes of the quarter.

However, the Jimmy Enabu and Peter Obleng scored some much-needed baskets in the final 3 minutes and that kept Namuwongo up 34-32 at the end of the half.

Were Mark was going to work all day against Namuwongo and he seemed unstoppable.

The Blazers’ coach Esco made a couple of defensive changes to stop him but the man kept going to work.

He finished the first half with a game-high 15 points on 6/8 field goal attempts.

However, the Blazers found a solution for him in the second half.

He was scoreless in the third quarter and scored just 1 field goal in the second half.

Match Stats

Namuwongo Blazers

Jimmy Enabu 20 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast,  5 stl, 1 blk

James Okello 16 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast

Michael Makiadi 12 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast 1 blk

JT Jaguars

Were Mark 21 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl

Aaron Eboyu 9 pts

Players and Coach’s Reactions

The JT Jaguars Head Coach Sudi Ulanga commented on their second half performance, the big men and more.

“Coming in the second half, we were not there. You can’t play against a very good team like Namuwongo and concede 20 and 29 points (3rd and 4th quarters)”

“Our offense was shabby because we couldn’t defend well as a team”

“Our bigs were not present. They missed a lot around the basket and also did not defend very well”

“When our defense broke down in the second half, everything broke down”

Jimmy Enabu became the first player (men) to score 20+points in multiple games.

He shared his thoughts about the game;

“Every win is important to us. We treat every game like it’s a big game and that means every win is as important”

“The coach is holding us accountable. We were a bit sloppy (in the first half) and he wanted us to pick up the energy and that’s what we had to do in the second quarter”

He also commented on the 12 points by Makiadi in the first quarter.

“Michael gave us energy in the first quarter which we needed very much and we had to come and support him”

Finally, he applauded the work on Moses Mugisha and Henry Ssebagala for their contributions in the game.

“They are talented young men and it showed today. Their role on this team is evident and we need them.”

Were Mark, who was sensational for the Jaguars had mixes emotions at the end of the game.

He commented on what led to the big loss;

“Our biggest issue was defense. We lacked communication, we were lagging, they were beating us easily on the dribble and that is not allowed in the Jaguars.”

Match Facts

The Namuwongo Blazers are unbeaten in all their 4 games so far.

They have scored 80+ in each of those games and average 88.5 points per game.

Jimmy Enabu is the first player (men) to register multiple 20+ point games.

Were Mark became the first JT Jaguars player to score 20+ points in a game this season.

The JT Jaguars have faced their first defeat and have a 2-1 record.

They face the JKL Dolphins next on Sunday 6th April at Lugogo with a chance to redeem themselves.

Namuwongo Blazers have a perfect 4/4  record and seem to be in autopilot.

They will be back in action on Wednesday 9th, as they host the KIU Titans at Abja Park.