The City Oilers finally rubbed off the 0 in the win columns after their hard-fought 68-62 victory against the Rezlife Saints.

Coming into the game, the City Oilers had lost their opening 2 games and were desperate for a win.

However, they were taking on a motivated Rezlife Saints team who had won their previous 2 games.

City Oilers led 17-11 after the first quarter but things turned around in the second.

Rezlife turned up on the defensive end and kept eating through the deficit, eventually gaining a 7-point lead.

In the final 7 minutes of the second quarter, City Oilers scored just 1 field goal and a total 4 of points.

The Rezlife Saints seemed to have built an impenetrable wall and this helped them keep away the Oilers.

However, to start the third quarter, the City Oilers came out to take care of business.

They scored 16 points in the first 3 minutes including 4 3-point shots and established a 6-point lead.

Fayed Baale scored 8 of those points plus an assist and a steal.

The most important thing though, was how he managed to get past the defenders with ease, which opened up spaces and also created for his teammates.

The Rezlife Saints managed to slow down the Oilers and closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to make it a 2-point game heading into halftime.

The game was end-to-end in the fourth with 4 lead changes and 3 ties.

However, a couple of errors cost the Rezlife Saints late in the game and the Oilers took advantage.

Suka Fadul made late fouls which cost the team, he also missed 2 crucial free throws late in the game.

The Oilers walked away with a narrow 68-62 victory.

Coaches’ Reactions

City Oilers Head Coach Andrew Tendo wasn’t very plaeased with the performance of his players despite the result.

“I’m happy for the win but frustrated that the senior players should do a better job.

The whole team needs to do a better job when it comes to playing some of these teams in the league”

On the offensive collapse in the second quarter, he had this to say.

“They were playing a certain type of defense that flustered some of the boys but we came out hot in the third”

He also commented on the return of Fayed Baale who scored 17 points in the game.

“He scored valuable points for us and I can he was a mission piece”

“We need to work on our consistency and chemistry, we have many new players who are trying to get used to each other. It’s going to take time but we shall get there eventually” he concluded

Rezlife Saints coach Moses Okwera was happy with the performance despite the loss.

“I’m really happy with the boys, they really battled. Playing against the defending champions, leading by 7 at halftime, that means we came to compete“

Match Stats

City Oilers

Fayed Baale 17 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl

Joseph Chuma 14 pts, 16 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl

Malual Dier 9 pts, 9 reb, 3 stl

Rezlife Saints

Michael Othieno 24 pts, 6 reb

Takpiny Apugi 10 pts, 4 reb

The Rezlife Saints’ 2-game winning streak was snapped and they now have a 4-3 record.

They return to action on Saturday 19th as they take on  the JKL Dolphins in Mukono.

City Oilers won their first game of the season and now has a 1-2 record.

They face the KCCA Panthers next on Monday 21st with a chance to even their season record.