The game that looked like it would be one-way traffic after the first two quarters turned out to be the best of the season thus far as Betway Power took the day with a slim 81-80 win over UCU Canons in the last game on Sunday at YMCA, Wandegeya. Having started the game with a high flying 20-11 triumph in the opening 10 minutes of the game, Power looked like they were up for a walk in the park against the youthful Canons side.
The university side struggled to execute on offense while Power, lead by captain Joseph Ikong, veteran Isaac Afidra and Paul Odong worked like a well oiled machine throughout the first half. The two sides went into the half time break with the Canons trailing by 7 and Fadhil Chuma’s monster dunk brought back some life into UCU.
Hell broke loose in the third quarter as Nick Natuhereza’s charges ran riot at the five time champions. Steve Wundi, who didn’t score in the first half, started connecting from down town while Tanzanian point guard Joas Maheta took full control of the floor. Ikong and Sunday Okot both got onto four fouls and were withdrawn in the quarter. The Canons went for a high scoring period and nailed 31 points against Power’s 20 to take a 4-point lead (59-55) after the third.
The fourth quarter brought the best out of the sides as leads were often exchanged. The game went to the wire. With 25.5 seconds left on the clock, UCU led 78-77 and Power coach Arnold Lando called a time out. Isaac Afidra executed with 14 seconds on the clock to give the 2011 winners a 1-point advantage (79-78). UCU took a time out and team captain Jonathan Egau scored for his side to lead 80-79.
The clock read 6 seconds and Michael Makiadi found Ikong on the back door from an inbound. The national team vice captain banked home with 4 seconds left. The Canons fumbled with the ball on the final play of the game and Power escaped with their second win of the season. Egau scored a game high 21 points on the day while Wundi, Maheta and Chuma added 16, 11 and 17 respectively in UCU’s losing effort. Makiadi was Power’s best performer with 18 points while Afidra and Odong contributed 17 each with Ikong chipping in with 16 points.
The win was Power’s second in a row having started the season with a win over defending champions City Oilers.