The second game of the Varsity Basketball tournament finals weekend, saw the University of Pretoria keep the Madibaz at bay, beating them 72-35 at the Wits Old Mutual Sports Hall in Johannesburg.
The Madibaz continued to struggle as they remained rooted to the bottom of the log, whilst Tuks kept their hopes alive of making the semi-finals in the first basketball competition presented by Varsity Sports.
As would have been expected, Tuks got out the starting blocks the best, even though it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The Madibaz did not make it easy for the men from Pretoria in the first quarter, when they defended well after Tuks bombarded the Madibaz territory with attacks coming from all corners of the court. The quarter eventually played out with Tuks 10-5 up. The second quarter was much of the same, with the Madibaz only adding 6 points to their tally, whilst TUKS held out to come out the better side going into the break, with the score at 20-11.
The Tuks coaching stuff must have had a few inspiring words to share at the break, with the men from Pretoria coming out all guns blazing. Their offensive play led by Louis Motaung and Ludwig Gerdes was particularly impressive, as they scored scored an astounding 31 points to the Madibaz’s 8. The final quarter brought back the balance in the game that was present in the first and second period of play. Tuks did out score the Madibaz yet again, which saw them push on to a 72-35 win sneaking them closer to the semi-finals.
Score
Tuks 72-35 Madibaz
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
Madibaz: 4. Kgotsietsile Itshegetseng, 5. Leselo Mohale, 6. Gregory Reid, 7. Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, 8. George Mabata, 9. Thembelani Mangwana, 10. Shingirayi Matunhira, 11. Elton Rebaone, 12. Takudzwanashe Tigere, 13. Yusrie Astrie, 15. Denny Mahachi, 16. Khayelihle Ngema
By S’fiso Nyawo
