NAIROBI (Kenya) - Matero Magic have once again been eliminated from the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) East Division Elite 16 at the group stage, achieving a single victory in a 78-71 outcome against Bravehearts.
Swiss/Beninese forward Marc Seylan led the team's pursuit of victory in the four-team group, scoring 23 points — one of only three players to reach double figures.
He shot 6-of-7 inside while converting two of his five attempts from range.
Corey Boyd, who has been outstanding in the team's three matches, achieved a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Elijah Mukelabai, who was unstoppable in their agonising 89-87 defeat to Ferroviario da Beira, was the other top scorer with 10 points.
Matero had an incredible opening quarter, outscoring the Malawians 35–20. This 15-point lead proved crucial in the end, as the Malawians made a comeback and turned the match into a dogfight in the final quarter.
Sita Conteh scored eight as the Bravehearts started their comeback with a 17–14 second quarter, reducing their deficit to 12 points at half-time.
Dingilizwe Saili Saili got Matero off to a flying start in the second half with a shot from deep, with Faad Billy responding to make it 52-40.
The quarter ended with the Bravehearts leading 20-12, having clawed their way back to 61-57 heading into the final stanza.
Two trips to the free-throw line for three points brought coach Sizimuthela Kuntepa's team to within touching distance at 61–60, with Ian Owen Limbe taking the lead for the Bravehearts at 64–63.
However, Mukelabai and Seylan combined to pull Matero ahead to 70-64.
The Bravehearts lived up to their name, coming close again at 70–69 as Matero fought for a 17–14 quarter to win. Conteh and Ngonga were the top scorers for the Malawians with 17 and 16 points respectively.
"The competition was really good. We fought hard in every game; some didn't work out for us, but we won one. Ideally, we would have come here to play for a 3–0 or 2–1, but the positive thing about this result is that it has given the players a chance to grow," said Matero Magic head coach Chandler Simon, who was coaching on the continent for the first time.
"We gained a lot of experience from coming here, and this tournament has made us aware of several areas we need to work on in preparation for the next championship. In this match, conceding a 15-point lead in the first quarter was our undoing, despite dominating the next three. However, they were better at managing their lead and the game. It's been a good run, and we're leaving having learned a lot," said coach Sizimuthela Kuntepa.
FIBA