UCT will be disappointed as they fly home to Cape Town, having been unable to earn any points from their weekend on PE. After their 60-29 loss to Madibaz on Sunday, they fell short against Tuks, losing 55-35.
At the end of the first quarter UCT trailed Tuks by just seven points, the score 12-5 after 15 minutes. UCT would have felt that they weren’t out of it, with a few needless turnovers costing them against a very strong Tuks outfit.
But Tuks’ lead extended in the second quarter, thanks mostly to the efforts of the tall Ine-Marie Venter. The gap extended to 10 points by the midway break and UCT needed to turn things around quickly, as Tuks were gaining momentum.
The second half couldn’t have started in poorer fashion for UCT. They couldn’t contain a lively Tuks side who were punishing a weak UCT defence. Shongile Hlungwana ran the show in the middle of the court, thwarting any UCT attack. Finding their rhythm, the Free Staters increased their lead to 44-23 by the end of the third quarter.
The match ended 55-35. UCT were playing catch-up from as early as the first quarter and Tuks just kept gaining momentum. Tuks walked away with a full five points for their bonus point victory, while UCT left with nothing to show for their efforts.
FNB Player of the Match: Shongile Hlungwana (Tuks)
Teams:
UP-Tuks: Ine-Mari Venter, Melissa Kotze, Tshinakaho Mdau, Marlize de Bruin, Shadine van der Merwe, Juzelri Garbers, Jasmine Ziegelmeier, Shongile Hlungwana, Lenize Potgieter, Dimakatso Mogoale, Chantelle Swart, Izette Lubbe
UCT: Fortuna Bagula (vice-captain); Paula Macnab; Phumi Shandu; Megan McCarley; Simone Peters (captain); Micaela Peters; Robyn Adams; Yeukai Chamba; Itseng Mogorosi; Marelise Coetzer; Marisa Du Preez; Natasha Jooste
