Although they went down 68-28 to a powerhouse UP-Tuks side at home, UCT took heart from the fighting spirit they showed after a devastating opening quarter.
The visitors got off to a powerful start, taking the lead early on. The first quarter, which ended at 2-24, would prove to be the initial boost which allowed Tuks to gain control of the game almost entirely.
UCT struggled to find their footing well into the second quarter gathering just 8 points to Tuks’ 37 at half-time.
After significant positional shifts and regrouping, the home side made their comeback early in the second half, making full use of the tactical Samsung power play.
By the end of the third quarter the scoreline read 18-56 to the visitors and reflected the determination UCT had put forward. Much the same momentum was carried forward into the last quarter and UCT consistently scored to bring the final score to 28-68.
After the game, UCT coach Stephanie Duursema commented on the sheer physicality of the match and the tactical use of injury breaks during the match, as the game saw a total of three between the two sides.
“We had Tuks on the back foot. Although a very physical match, I believe that that was strategy to re-group. Once UCT settled after the first quarter, our defence and improved use of space, had Tuks in need of new plans”, she said.
In terms on what went wrong in that first quarter she said: “With the current academic pressure, the full squad had been unable to do much court work last week. That had a clear impact on the confidence of the players to adjust to the required immediate focus at the blow of the whistle.”
Much like the first home game the match drew a large crowd of passionate supporters, and Duursema said that the team got a major boost from that.
“The crowd was amazing and with the accompanying brilliant DJ, the team just breathed the adrenaline rush and dominated the later game. It was magic,” she said.
UCT take on TUT again next week in their final game of the season and will be looking to pull off a last-chance win.
By Megan Kinnaird
