National Basketball League
City Oilers 78-76 Betway Power
If the performance in the first game of the 2016 National Basketball League finals is anything to go by, then the championship is far from getting decided.
Despite falling to City Oilers in game one on Friday at the MTN Arena, Betway Kobs put up a spirited performance to match Oilers almost in every angle punching above their weight.
Power took the first quarter 23-22 to begin impressively.
However City Oilers rallied back to claim the second period 22-16 and take a 45-38.
A sublime start by Oilers after recess saw them widen the gap to double figures, and at 07:32 in the third quarter, Mande Juruni’s side led 55-44.
Betway Power gave Oilers a run for their money
However, whenever Oilers seemed like pulling away, Power remained resilient with Joseph Ikong doing most of the damage and by the end of the third quarter the Oilers led with just four points, (61-57).
The fourth and final quarter saw Power come within range and at one moment took the the lead.
Ikong had a three-pointer and Makiadi’s attempt ended futile for Power while on the other hand Enabu drove across the Power defence to lay-up and Oilers led 75-74 with 30 seconds.
Ndikumana had a two jump shot on the break and Oilers lead was up to 77-74.
Power was forced into a time out. On return, they fumbled on the rebound but Makiadi (10 points, 13 rebounds) gathered the mess and forced a shot from beyond the arc drawing a foul from Kabange with 3.7 seconds.
Eventually, Oilers won 78-76 to take a 1-0 lead in the series with game two on Sunday.
Joseph Ikong had a game high 27 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists albeit on a losing note while Otim Jonah led the scores for Oilers with 20 points.