Mayes leads City Oilers in Hawassa riot, KPA on course

KAMPALA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) - New recruit Jordan Mayes gave a hint of what he is capable of when he led the City Oilers to an emphatic 111-41 Group A victory over Ethiopian debutants Hawassa City on Tuesday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena. 

Mayes, who only joined the regional defending champions last week, amassed 16 points, seven assists and picked three rebounds as the Oilers registered their second consecutive victory at the tournament.

"It felt good to go out there and win with the guys. We were confident that we were going to win this game. We came out, ran the floor and played defense. We played our game and the outcome was in our favor," - Jordan Mayes said.

Six players were in double figures including Landry Ndikumana who scored 14 points while Robinson Odoch Opong and Jonah Otim each added 13 apiece. Tonny Drileba and James Okello netted 12 each to ensure Mandy Juruni's side walked away with their second consecutive win.  

City Oilers guard Jordan Mayes told FIBA.basketball that, "It felt good to go out there and win with the guys. We were confident that we were going to win this game. We came out, ran the floor and played defense. We played our game and the outcome was in our favor."

Wagari Kefeni scored 12 points for Hawassa City but it was not enough to rescue his side from the City Oilers who rested their starting five in the last quarter. 

Meanwhile, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) survived a late scare to defeat Tanzanian army side ABC 81-77 in a heavily contested Group B to record their second straight win in the Ugandan capital. 

ABC missed five free throws in the last one minute and lost by four points much to their disappointment despite having less turnovers than KPA, 13 compared to 21 and one less rebound 38-37.

Sadick Athuman Baraka was impressive inside the paint and behind the arc dropping 28 points and picking six rebounds but his individual brilliance was not enough to ensure a win for ABC. 

Australian-based Desmond Owili scored a team high 21 points with eight rebounds to inspire KPA to an important win with Anthony Kidong'o Matongolo and Victor Odendo Otieno adding 11 points each. 

Shooting guard Walter Nkurunziza scored a game high 14 points and picked five rebounds to inspire Rwandan league champions Patriots past Savio of Tanzania 79-50 in Group A. Forward Olivier Shyaka and center Kami Kabange contributed 13 and 12 points in that order. 

In the last game of the day, Betway Power made light work of Gondar City 113-31 to bring their winning ratio to 2-0 in Group B. 

Nasser Guddi commonly known as Kikiri came off the bench to put up a spirited performance with the game's only double double recording 11 points and 10 rebounds while Burundian guard Willy Nijimbere scored 18 of his 21 points from behind the arc.

The Zone 5 winners will qualify for the FIBA Africa Champions Cup set to be held in Tunisia in December. 

FIBA