LUSAKA (Zambia) - The fact that two games were decided by single digits served as a reminder of how highly contested this six-team group is.
Here's a recap of the second day of Group E's action.
Kandulu shines
Douglas Kandulu was a fortress and a weapon for Munali Suns, as they defeated Ferroviario da Beira in the Road to BAL at the Nasdec Sports Complex on Saturday.
Kandulu's double-double (21 points and 13 rebounds), along with five blocks, helped hand Munali a famous 87-85 win over the Mozambican champions.
The seven footers' efforts from the first quarter till the end of the hotly contested game have made Munali one of two unbeaten teams in Group E Division East.
Apart from scoring, Kandulu's rebounding in defence helped start Munali's attacks, and his rebounding in offence helped him and his teammates score second-chance points.
Munali, who led twice in the first quarter, fought their way back from a 10-point (43-33) first-half deficit.
Denying Beira from scoring three-pointers in the second half was key, as it was the one element that helped the Mozambican club's runs.
Shooting guard Elijah Mukelabai's ability to force fouls helped him score 6/7 from the free-throw line.
He also gave the fans a highlight-reel dunk going coast-to-coast to help cut Beira's lead to five (45-40).
Mukelabai scored 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals, while Ofure Ujadughele finished with 13 points, five assists and five rebounds.
Joshua Thomas and Ke Tarrious Bouchum scored 27 and 18 points respectively, accounting for just over half of Beira's total of 85 points.
Dolphins go 2-0 in Group E
Botswana's Dolphins equalled their best win record in the Road to BAL when they beat Bravehearts 78-74 on Saturday.
Dolphins, who beat Harare Kings on Friday, got their second win in the BAL qualifying tournament, a feat they last achieved in the 2024 qualifiers.
South Sudan's Peter Marial's double-double (12 points and 12 rebounds) and German Adrian Breitlauch's 9 points and 11 rebounds helped Dolphins swim against the tide.
American Dallan Coleman led all scorers with 20 points, and another South Sudanese player, Makur Jongkuch, scored 17 points in Dolphins' record-equalling win.
The clash between Dolphins and Bravehearts saw certain patterns developing.
Dolphins had to dig in again and chase down another first-half deficit, while old habits died hard with Brave Hearts. For the second game, the Malawian club wilted in the fourth quarter.
The Botswana put in another inspired third quarter after being led by 10 (42-32) going into the second half.
Kesaobaka Ndawanyana's drive-in, deft step and soft lay-up finish started the Dolphins' 11-point run as they closed in on Brave Hearts' lead and took control at the 5:35 mark (45-44). Dingani Motswadira put his team up when he cut into the key score from an Adrian Breitlauch pass.
Ian Limbe, who scored 19, kept Brave Hearts in the contest 62-60 with a three-pointer over Breitlauch's outstretched arm. The Dolphins increased their urgency, building an eight-point run that began with free throws from Ndawanyana, who contributed 13 to the Dolphins' victory.
Earlier, Bravehearts set the tone in the first half with their effort in defence.
They grabbed 20 rebounds, with Titus Njovu leading with eight, and went into the break with 11 boards. Njovu, who finished with 15 points, made his presence felt in the paint, scoring six inside the key and three from the free-throw line, putting Brave Hearts up 42-32.
With the win, the Dolphins improve their Elite 16 ambitions, while the winless Bravehearts will be aware the margin for error is shrinking.
FIBA