HOIMA (Uganda) - Uranani has all but secured a spot in the Road to BAL 2027 Elite 16 after improving to 3-0 in Group D of the East Division.
On Friday afternoon at Hoima City Arena, the Burundian champions easily defeated Ushindzi de Ouani 117-58.
Coach Elvis Hakizimana gave his bench players significant playing time in the lopsided game.
Hakizimana looked beyond his star players, Stephaun Branch, Tyrone Stubbs, Chingka Garba, and Mahamane Coulibaly. The bench, led by guards Malik Genzahayo, Bamba Diallo, and Yves Nsengiyumva, was given extended minutes.
The duo of Diallo and Nsengiyumva was devastating from the three-point range, shooting 9-of-16. Most of these shots were uncontested, as Ushindzi collapsed in the lane.
Bamba scored 27 points, the highest by a Urunani player so far, and Nsengiyumva added 15.
Urunani dominated the game, hitting triple digits through three quarters. The final period was merely a formality for the victors.
With 117 points, Urunani recorded the highest score in the 2027 Road to BAL so far.
Ushindzi are also the only team in the tournament to have conceded 100+ points. They also allowed 109 points against the Namuwongo Blazers on the opening day.
Meanwhile, Ushindzi will be looking for their first tournament win on Saturday against COSPN, who are also winless.
FIBA