The final game of the second round of the Varsity Basketball tournament was pure class, with the University of Johannesburg show great courage and determination to fight back inside the last 5 minutes of the final quarter, beating the University of Cape Town 77-53.
UCT will be very disappointed at the outcome of the game in the end, as they had been in the lead for a large part of the game. Credit however must be given to UJ who never gave up and took full advantage of the power play towards the conclusion of the game, sinking 18 points before UCT could reply. UCT are still without a win now, with UJ making it a back to back victory.
The game got off to a rather slow start but the teams were very competitive, not giving much away in the early exchanges. UJ were the ones who looked to stamp their authority on the game very early, when they led 13-11 at the close of the first period of play. That lead was however short lived in the second quarter, with UCT’s Mutsa Bingandani, on two occasions dropping 3 pointers which saw UCT go into the interval leading UJ 30-24.
The third quarter was then a game of ‘cat and mouse’, with the lead exchanging ends, but it was UJ who looked poised to go into the quarter ahead. Surprisingly UCT spurred on by their captain Siphumle Qanya, fought back to regain the lead albeit 44-41 going into the final quarter. The fourth period still saw the game swing both ways, with the scorers interchanging in the first few minutes. Inside the last 5 minutes however it was UJ who rose to the occasion, even taking advantage of the power play to outscore UCT, who just grew more and more frustrated with their attempts at the hoop going a begging. In the end UJ were able to close off with a sublime dunk from Nathan Baruti, who also contributed with 2 pointers that saw UJ reign supreme with a 77-53 score line.
Score
UJ 77-53 UCT
Teams
UJ: 1. Manasse Kabasele, 2. Karabo Likotsi, 3. Gomolemo Mahuma, 8. Yves Mulwisa, 5. Mpumelelo Mahlati, 9. Sikhumbuzo Mthembu, 10. Peace Famudimo, 11. Nqosa Lehloenya, 12. Zett Mutongoza, 13. Trystan Speck, 14. Nathan Baruti, 15. Lance Chikore
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
