Kampala, Uganda: The National Basketball League (NBL) weekend served up a packed schedule of results across Lugogo and Mukono, with standout wins, overtime thrillers, and dominant performances headlined by City Oilers’ statement victory over RezLife Saints.
Amid the flurry of weekend results, City Oilers Basketball Club once again underlined their dominance with a composed 70-55 victory over RezLife Saints at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The win carried added significance, avenging their earlier first-round loss and reinforcing their grip at the top of the standings.
Fayed Baale delivered a standout performance, leading the Oilers with 22 points, three rebounds, and two assists. He set the tempo early as the Oilers took control of the game from the opening quarter.
RezLife initially showed promise, with Duot Ajang scoring off the tip-off, but the Oilers quickly responded. Baale, alongside Laundry Ndikumana and Edgar Munaba, stretched the lead with timely shooting, including late three-pointers that pushed the first-quarter score to 19-10.
The second quarter proved decisive. The Oilers exploded offensively, scoring 28 points as Titus Lual attacked the rim and Baale dictated play. By halftime, they had built a commanding 41-28 lead.
RezLife fought back after the break. Hon Kwany found rhythm from long range, Ajang added presence in the paint, and Rin Tueny Mabor’s late dunk brought the deficit down to five points (53-48) heading into the final quarter.
But the Oilers remained composed under pressure. Isaac Athuai Akoal and Malual Dier controlled the closing stages, while the defence tightened to shut down RezLife’s momentum. Even after a three-pointer from Edrine Ekau sparked brief hope, the Oilers responded calmly, with Joel Lukoji sealing the win at the free-throw line.
Akoal added 10 points for the Oilers, while RezLife’s Kwany led his side with 17 points. Ajang contributed 15, and Ekau added 11.
The victory pushed the Oilers to 23 points (11 wins, one loss), maintaining their position at the top of the table. RezLife Saints remain third with 21 points.
Elsewhere, UPDF Tomahawks delivered one of the most dominant performances of the weekend with a 92-70 win over Kampala Rockets. Akok Peter recorded an impressive triple-double of 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Bolton Rujumba added 16 points.
In another men’s clash, UMU Flames edged JKL Dolphins 84-79 in overtime. John Otuko led with 16 points, supported by Gatwech Koang Wankoak’s 15, while Hasan Sentamu scored 17 for the Dolphins.
In the women’s category, UCU Lady Canons secured a 54-39 win over UPDF Lady Tomahawks, while KIU Rangers benefited from a walkover after JKL Lady Dolphins failed to honour their fixture.
The tightest contest came in the clash between JKL Lady Dolphins rivals and Magic Stormers, where UCU Lady Canons earlier showed resilience, while Pearl Queens edged Stormers 63-61 in an overtime thriller led by Jane Chisom Iriele’s 18 points.
As the league progresses, the Oilers continue to set the pace, combining depth, experience, and composure, qualities that once again proved decisive in a weekend full of high-intensity basketball action.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
