Oilers send out a warning

 

 

Results

 

 

JKL 158 Makerere 31

 

A1 77 UMU 64

 

UCU 120 YMCA 27

 

KIU 50 Angels 31

 

 

Power 90 Sharing 51

 

Oilers 83 Warriors 59

 

UCU 80 Falcons 42

 

 

 

Reality check is the operative term for what the Warriors received at the end of 83-59 thrashing by six-time National Basketball League (NBL) champions Saturday at Lugogo in the NBL.

 

Landry Ndikumana and Francis Azolibe snatched 14 points apiece while Jimmy Enabu and Josh Johnson scored 12 and 11 points respectively to guide the Oilers to a comfortable victory over the team seen as the biggest threat to their quest for a record-breaking seventh successive NBL championship.

 

Michael Bazangu had a game-high 21 points for the Warriors but 15 of those came in the first half when the Warriors were able to hang with the Oilers.

 

Bazangu and the Warriors were a mental shambles after the break, managing just 22 second-half points. The champions engaged higher gears in the third frame and the Warriors found out, as Oilers challengers past and present have, that is often the breaking point.

 

And boy did the Warriors break apart, Mark Opio being ejected in the fourth quarter as frustrations got the best of Ronnie Mutebi's side.

 

One thing is clear, the Warriors will have to be more levelheaded, among other requirements, if they are stand a chance of testing the Oilers let alone beat them in a playoff series.

 

Chris Omanye and Aaron Ojoo scored 12 and 11 points respectively for for the Warriors, who outscored the Oilers 22-20 in a blistering first quarter that promised a contest that ultimately didn't materialise.

 

The Oilers became the Oilers and the story had a familiar ending. Question is, what will the Warriors do in response?