The action at the Varsity Basketball tournament heated up, with yet another upset on day three at Wits Old Mutual Sports Hall. The University of KwaZulu Natal got their second win for the tournament, after defeating the University of Pretoria, who suffered their first loss so far.
The result stunned the men from Pretoria, who had grown so accustomed to collecting Ws throughout the tournament, putting them in good stead ahead of the finals weekend next week. UKZN had it all to do after only winning in the first round, and then losing out to Joburg sides UJ and Wits respectively.
The game initially started off in a very low scoring square off, with very little to tell between the two teams. Tuks, as usual, were the better starters, quickly advancing to a slender 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter remained the same with the men from Pretoria tipping the scale in their favour slightly but the fouls they were committing, gave UKZN an inside chance to keep within touching distance of them.
Tuks often looked to Rufaro Warinda to attack through the middle, who at times found himself blocked off with the ball quickly being shifted to the likes of Braydon Wooley and Cody Samuels to attempt three-point jump shots and perhaps a few lay ups if the opportunity presented itself. The players eventually settled on going into the break with Tuks 21-17 up.
The third quarter saw UKZN lose a bit of control, with Tuks going onto increase their lead to 36-29. The fourth quarter brought about the power play later on in the period, which both teams took advantage of, with UKZN getting the better of the points. Personal fouls in the end really hurt Tuks, with UKZN’S Thabo Sithole often being called upon to shoot at the basket. At the sound of the buzzer, Sithole’s attempts that landed in the hoop, contributed very well to seeing UKZN finish off the weekend with a 58-50 victory.
Score
UKZN 58-50 TUKS
Teams
UKZN: 0. Lehlohonolo Mhlongo, 5. Zolani Khuzwayo, 6. Thobelani Msimang, 7. Thabo Sithole, 8. Siyethemba Ciliza, 10. Kenan Davidson, 13. Jean Amisi, 15. Nkanyiso Ntombela, 23. Bubele Monakali
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
By Sifiso Nyawo
