DAR ES SALAAM (Tanzania) - With just 78 seconds left,  it was still anyone’s game but home team Pazi got the better of Burundi’s Dynamo in a 71-62 outcome to move closer to qualifying for the East Division Elite 16.

Pazi, making their debut in the Road to BAL tournament, had the unwavering support of a highly-animated fanbase as the Group C matches are being hosted in their backyard, Dar es Salaam.

The two sides came into the match with a 1-0 winning ratio, the Burundian side having dispensed Kenya Ports Authority 75-63 in the opener played on Thursday while Pazi saw off Elan Coton 78-65 and were out to bag a second victory and put themselves in prime position to grab the single slot on offer to the next round.

Pazi fans showed up in big numbers in support of their heroes

Dynamo had a slow start and they found themselves trailing 4-0, 6-1 and further at 15-3 with just over two minutes on the clock but they rallied on to trail by 5 at 15-10 at the end of the quarter. 

The second quarter was closely contested with the home side's advantage cut to just a point at 19-18, halfway into the period, Hameed Tariq Ali contributing back-to-back threes that brought Dynamo close. 

Pazi pushed the difference back to give at 25-20 as a brilliant last three minutes saw them grow the advantage to 10, heading to the breather with the score line reading 35-25. 

Once again, Dhieu Abwok Deing was crucial in Pazi's  second win in a row 

Dynamo had a better start to the second half, cutting their deficit to three at 35-32 in the opening three minutes of the third quarter but the Dhieu Abwok Deing-powered Pazi pulled away to close the quarter with a six-point advantage at 49-43. 

A dramatic fourth quarter saw Dynamo come to within a point at 56-55, Tariq Ali and Bienvenu Richard Ndikuriyo bagging a trey each in the rally that forced Pazi into a timeout.

Dynamo had numerous opportunities to go level matters and even go top but turnover after another denied them the opportunity with Baraka Sadick Athumani rising above everyone for a crucial three that gave Pazi some breathing space.

Hameed Tariq Ali 

A relentless Dynamo kept the fight going as David Deng Kongor Deng brought them back at 63-62 with another trey giving themselves another chance to challenge for the win.

However, Hasheem Thabeet broke the Burundians' hearts with a jump shot and dunk that left the entire gymnasium on their feet while restoring their advantage as they went on to win 71-62.

Kongor Deng played for a game-high 20 points and 10 boards but it was not enough to hand his side, Dynamo victory. 

Louis Rucklin led the scoring for Pazi with 17 points as Abwok Dieng bagged a double-double dropping 16 points and 14 rebounds in 40 minutes. National star Athumani also managed double digits with 11 points.

The Henry Mwinuka-coached Pazi will look to complete the job on Saturday when they play Kenya Ports Authority. Dynamo will be banking on the Kenyan side spoiling the party for the Tanzanians as they push to get a win against Benin’s Elan Coton for an opportunity to qualify.  

FIBA