In the second-to-last game of the third round of day two action at the Varsity Basketball tournament at the Wits Old Mutual Sports Hall, it took a big effort from the University of Pretoria to shrug off the University of Cape Town in order to secure a hard fought 66-64 win.
UCT were once more involved in a tightly contested match-up, seeing them again end up on the side of the scoreboard that no team wants to themselves on. They were very unfortunate to eventually lose out but Tuks dug deep in the end to claim the victory. If it wasn’t for the fouls committed towards the end of the final quarter, the game could have gone either way.
Tuks were, however, the better starters, claiming the lead in the first quarter, with the score at 18-11. The second quarter brought about a more competitiveness in game, with UCT looking much better with their finishing. Mutsa Bingandani was lethal for UCT with the jump shots, but as the quarter progressed, the Tuks defence gave him no space, limiting his time with the ball in hand. The Tuks defence must have done their homework as they really limited UCT getting the three-pointers they so often attempt. At the sound of the buzzer signaling the interval, Tuks still enjoyed the lead with the score at 37-28.
In the last two quarters, UCT was slightly the better team even though both teams only scored 14 points apiece in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was where hopes of a come back from UCT came alive, where the men from the Western Cape outscored Tuks 22 points to 15. The late fouls towards the end of game let UCT down, with Tuks taking full advantage and taking the win at the death.
Score
Tuks 66-64 UCT
Teams
Tuks: 4. Tshidiso Matebesi, 5. Lungelo Dlamini, 6. Brandon Dick, 7. Otshepegile Msiza, 8. Rufaro Warinda, 9. Manelisi Mthiyane, 10. Braydon Wooley, 11. Cody Samuels, 12. Louis Motaung, 13. Akinbiyi Odunlade, 14. Adrian Geldenhuys, 15. Ludwig Gerdes
UCT: 3. Siphumle Qanya, 6. Kyle Maclean, 8. Change Gatere, 10. Brian Aliam, 11. Joshua Phiri, 13. Mutsa Bingandani, 15. Patrice Menda, 20. Jamal Fernandes, 33. Duncan Nicholson, 45. Buhle Bhopela
By S’fiso Nyawo
