Uganda hit Tanzania hard as curtains fall on U16 Zone 5 Qualifiers
So dominant was Uganda's performance such that Tanzania did not lead at any point with their biggest lead being 71 points and all other statistics going expectedly their way.
KIGALI (Rwanda) - Star boy Tejan Joel Rugette and Zuri Owiny were the heros of the moment as Uganda's Junior Silvebacks picked a 116-49 win over Tanzania to end the Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers for the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship on a high.
The duo scored 21 and 20 points respectively while combining for 20 rebounds to hand Uganda victory in a match that five more of their teammates hit double digits in the one-sided clash.
Michael Seger's charges left nothing yo chance, going ahead 18-2 in the first five minutes tk set the tone early in what turned out to be yet another annihilation for Tanzania.
At the end of the first stanza, it was clear Tanzania would have a long night as they trailed 25-6. The second quarter was no different as Uganda scored the highest points in a single period in the tournament at 44-19 to head to break leading 69-25.
With a 44-point advantage, Uganda were under no pressure in the second half and went considerably easy on their opponents winning the ensuing quarters 28-13 and 19-11 for a 67-point victory.
So dominant was Uganda's performance such that Tanzania did not lead at any point with their biggest lead being 71 points and all other statistics going expectedly their way.
Victor Mwesigwa scored 17 as Michael Bono and Harry Tindyebwa combined for 28. Skipper Christian Aine and Terrence Obua added 11 and 10 respectively to the final tally.
On Tanzania's end, captain Joseph Kikusa who was leading a squad of 7 leaving the Mohamed Yusuf Mchenga-coached side with just two players on the bench, led with 13 points, Paulo Maliceloadding a similar number in the loss. Imani Bahati Mgunda scored 9.
Substitute Hasani Fadhili Kea led on the boards with 13 rebounds, 10 on defense as Ally Kihingi, the other player who came off the bench, pulling down 12. Both scored six points off the bench.
Elsewhere, Burundi picked a 90-80 win over hosts Rwanda despite the latter's Sean Williams top scoring with 26.
Burundi's depth proved to be the game changer for coach Aime Didier as the side managed 43 points off the bench compared to Rwanda's 8.
FIBA