Nkumba Marines not drowning just yet
Jun 30, 2014
THE Nkumba Marines have already been dismissed as bound for relegation from the National Basketball League but on Sunday, the two-time champions showed there is life yet in their campaign
By Charles Mutebi
National Basketball League
Women
Stormers 48 Nkumba 47
UCU 103 Crane High 28
Men
Nkumba 68 Ndejje 64
UCU 59 Sharing 52
THE Nkumba Marines have already been dismissed as bound for relegation from the National Basketball League (NBL).
But Sunday at the YMCA, the two-time champions showed there is life yet in their campaign.
Marcus Angolo, Shaban Ramadan and Nyaboto Matoke drained 19, 19 and 11 points respectively as the Nkumba Marines stunned the Ndejje Angels 68-64 to end the last winless record in the NBL.
Nkumba went into the game with a sore record of 0-6, with many already convinced Timothy Odeke’s team are doomed for the drop.
But the two-time champions rose above their worst ever start to the a season to send Ndejje to their fifth defeat in seven matches, a troubling record for a team that finished a club-best fourth place in last year’s regular season.
Ndejje were led by Geoffrey Soro, Jonah Otim and Innocent Ochera 22, 15 and 12 points respectively but Walker Obedi’s side are on the verge of losing control of a season that began with so much promise.
Ndejje began the year by claiming the Zuku University League with an unbeaten record but injuries to crucial players like Francis Tumusiime and Brian Odour have left the Angels lying low in the standings with the third worst record in the NBL.
But there is plenty of time to turn things around for Ndejje… and for that matter Nkumba.
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