The woes of UJ continued on Sunday afternoon as the University of Johannesburg lost their fourth game of the season, going down 57-29 to the Madibaz at the Rembrandt Centre in Pretoria.
UJ have struggled to register a win this season and came into the game wanting to prove themselves as formidable contenders, however it was not enough as the Madibaz cemented their place in the top four.
The match kicked off to a rather slow start as UJ broke the deadlock within the first minute of the game but it took the Madibaz over three minutes to equalize before they found their rhythm and got on the scoreboard. The first quarter concluded at 14-9 as UJ trailed behind the visibly talented Port Elizabeth side.
The Madibaz remained strong and dominate throughout as they applied their defensive strategies to dispossess the lacklustre UJ, widening the gap. The first power play of the match came into effect within the last five minutes of the second quarter, giving the Madibaz an extra eight points while UJ earned an extra two to make it 31-13. UJ managed to secure three more points going into the halftime break to make it 31-16.
The onslaught continued as the Nelson Mandela University kept up with the flow of the game before the second power play kicked off. Both teams squandered their opportunities to earn any two-pointers as the power play concluded with zero goals scored, closing the third quarter at 43-24 to the Madibaz.
UJ tried to fight back and made some positive movements to reduce the deficit in the final quarter but the Auckland Park side were overpowered by the Madibaz, finishing the game at 57-29. The Madibaz earned an extra point for reaching the 50-point mark, leaving them in fourth place with 15 points on the log while UJ remain in sixth place, on zero points.
UJ next face UP-Tuks on Monday night at 19h00, while the Madibaz will clash against Kovsies at 16h00. The UJ game will be live on SuperSport 10.
FNB Player of the Match: Jeanie Steyn (Madibaz)
Samsung Best Shot Award: Nolusindiso Twani (Madibaz)
Madibaz Team: Jeanie Steyn, Hlumisa Sithonga, Eloise Webb, Nobubele Phuza, Nandipha Jack(C), Carla Viviers, Nolusindiso Twani, Bianca Blom, Lindokuhle Manyisa, Philene Van Niekerk, Zimasa Tshangela, Vuyiseka Ntsalu
UJ Team: Jodie Brown, Ntokozo Ramaremisa, Halala Nxumalo (C), Courtenay Davis, Tanya Liecterkost, Erin van Wyk. Kim-Roche Holmes, Nonhlanhla Angel Nkosi, Megan Van Lelveld, Intando Gumede, Lebogang Malahlela, Nompumelelo Mbonambi
By Liziwe Mbha
