James Oliseh ignites Beau Vallon Heat to victory in Road to BAL 2024 opener

 

ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - Seychelles' Beau Vallon Heat kicked off their Road to BAL 2024 campaign on Friday with a comprehensive 82-60 win over Ushindzi de Ouani in their Group E opener in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Inspired by Nigerian James Oliseh, who accounted for 27 points and 19 rebounds, the Seychelles champions made small case of the Ushindzi opposition to claim a most important win in their bid to the Elite 16.

Beau Vallon Heat were off to a flying start, leading 15-8 after the first five minutes of play, but Ushindzi came back with a 9-point run to trail by just 2 at 17-15.

In the second quarter, the Seychellois kept their opponents at bay with a 20-point run, although the Comorians gave them a good run for their money.

As a result, Beau Vallon Heat went into the halftime break with a 7-point advantage (37-30).

Beau Vallon Heat captain Timmy Adam (no. 7) accounted for 12 points in his side's victory

Coming out of the break, theHeat continued to attack their opponents' half of the court, maintaining their lead, this time extending it to 12 points.

It was around this time that Ushindzi lost their defensive senses. While Beau Vallon were busy on the offensive end of the court, they were also doing well on the defensive end.

Five minutes into the final period, the Seychellois led by 20 points (72-52), while Ushindzi scored only 6 points between the end of the third quarter and the first five minutes of the final period. The Heat added another 10 points to finish with a 82-60 victory.

Alongside Oliseh three other players stepped up with double digits to their credits. Reuben Andre finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Timmy Adam added 12 points and Denzel Mutyambizi contributed 11 points.

Beau Vallon Heat were more realistic on second chances, outscoring  the Comorans 20-13 points, while Ushindzi had a more productive bench (21-10). The Seychellois also outrebounded their opponents 73-44.

Oliseh claimed that things fell in place without Beau Vallon having to force anything.

"We've been practicing so hard the last few months, we've been playing like a team. But we really focused on defense. That and keeping up with the intensity of the game is what got us the win today," he added.

Ushindzi center Said Omar Salah, on the other hand, admitted his side lost their focus, which proved fatal to them.

Bendafi Kamardine was Ushindzi's top scorer with 14 points

Salah said: "In the beginning, we gave everything in defense. We tried to go all out in the third quarter, but Beau Vallon were more realistic on the field."

Previewing Ushindzi’s next game, against host COSPN, Salah added that it was already a do-or-die situation for the visitors, as they will face elimination in case of another loss. But they will not give up without a good fight.

"We will go back to our hotel and rest and focus on our next game. We have some goals to achieve and we'll give everything we have to achieve them," he concluded.

FIBA