By 
Namuwongo Blazers showed composure when it mattered most, edging South Sudan’s Patriots 85–81 in overtime in a thrilling Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) clash at Hoima City Arena on Saturday.
The Blazers had to fight back from a slow start before forcing the game beyond regulation and eventually finding enough in the extra period to claim an important victory.
Patriots made the brighter start, opening up a seven-point advantage as they led 23–16 at the end of the first quarter.
Namuwongo responded in the second period, with Makhtar Gueye at the heart of their recovery. The Blazers gradually turned the momentum around and went into the halftime break leading 42–37.
Patriots refused to let the game slip away after the restart. They attacked in transition and put pressure on the Blazers, who struggled to contain their opponents defensively.
Michael Dixon kept Patriots within touching distance, converting a basket and drawing a foul for a four-point play that reduced the deficit to eight points at 58–50 with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Patriots continued to chip away at the lead and entered the final quarter just four points behind at 62–58.
The Blazers suffered another blow in the fourth when point guard Jordan Jonathan was forced off with a knee injury, with Jimmy Enabu stepping in to fill the void.
With just 2:41 remaining, Patriots completed their comeback, wiping out an eight-point deficit to level the contest at 72–72 and force overtime.
The extra five minutes were just as tense, with both teams relying heavily on free throws as the pressure mounted.
Namuwongo, however, kept their composure in the decisive moments and pulled away to secure the 85–81 victory.
Jonathan finished as the Blazers’ leading scorer with 20 points, while Gueye added 17. Richard Pack contributed 13 and Peter Obleng scored 10.
Peter Olisemeka was also crucial, producing a double-double of 10 points and 17 rebounds to give the Blazers a major presence on the boards.
For Patriots, Ater Majok led all scorers with 23 points, while Dixon added 21. Nyang Wek scored 13 and Gob Makuac Gob finished with 12 as four Patriots players reached double figures.
The victory gives Namuwongo valuable momentum as their Road to BAL campaign continues, while Patriots are left to rue a comeback that fell just short in overtime.
